High hopes for Te Teko-bound filly
Boutique trainer Mark Blackie looks to have an able deputy in Le Castile while stable star Joy Anna is enjoying time out.
The Tauranga horseman has a high opinion of the Dalghar three-year-old, who will run in Wednesday’s New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m) at Te Teko.
Le Castile got home strongly for third on debut at Tauranga before she was out of the money behind the subsequent Group 2 placegetter Paulwonia at her next appearance.
“She was unlucky at Pukekohe, she got knocked around and nothing went right for her,” Blackie said. “She’s definitely a fast track horse and 1400m at Te Teko should suit her down to the ground. I think she’s going to be very hard to beat.”
Meanwhile, stablemate Joy Anna has been sent to the paddock after a rewarding campaign.
“She was in work for quite a while and she won three of her seven starts,” Blackie said.
“She was getting a bit tired so she’s having six weeks off and then we’ll get her back. I’d like to look at the Railway with her next season.” Joy Anna has won four of her 10 starts and showed her stakes potential on Boxing Day when a close fourth in the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) before she was unplaced in an open handicap in January.
“Her run in the Newmarket was huge and in her last start at Ellerslie she was in behind horses, which she doesn’t like,” Blackie said. “She’s a free runner and likes to be the leader of the pack.”