Larima is New Zealand Oaks bound after good Group 3 run
The daughter of Pour Moi unwound strongly from the tail of the field to finish fourth in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m) at Awapuni behind Savvy Coup, Group One performer Dijon Bleu and subsequent Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) winner Contessa Vanessa.
“It was a really good run and she had a week off after that and she’s back in work now,” New Plymouth trainer Janelle Millar said.
“We weren’t surprised, we’ve always had a lot of time for her.”
Larima was unplaced on debut in November before she was a stylish maiden winner over 1400m on her home track last month.
“The way she won her second start was pretty impressive, she’s a very classy horse,” Millar said.
The three-year-old is now being set for a crack at the Group 3 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) on January 20 at Trentham.
“After that we might have a look at the Oaks Prelude here and maybe Hastings for the Lowland,” Millar said.
“If it all goes to plan it will be on to the New Zealand Oaks.”
Millar is confident Larima won’t be troubled by the 2400m trip of the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored feature to be run on March 17.
“She’s got a great attitude, she’s a very relaxed filly as well,” she said.