She Turns Heads chasing Guineas berth at Tauranga
Te Akau Racing’s fillies are gearing up to maintain their aspirations for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in upcoming races.
She Turns Heads, a last-start runner-up, will aim to go one better at Tauranga on Wednesday.
Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the Headwater filly displayed promise as a juvenile with notable placings in four out of five starts, including the Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) in February.
“She Turns Heads will be a really nice chance on Wednesday,” said co-trainer Sam Bergerson.
She has got a really nice gate (1) and I thought her first-up run was good.”
Superbly Written, another Te Akau Racing filly, secured her maiden victory over 1300m at Taupo last month.
She is set to step up to 1400m at Matamata on Saturday, where a potential journey south for the 1000 Guineas will be on the line.
“She looks a nice horse going forward, and she is still a chance of getting to the 1000 Guineas,” explained Bergerson.
Te Akau Racing will also be well-represented in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) at Matamata on Saturday, featuring Belle Of The Ball.
However, the task has become more challenging with the inclusion of Group One winners Legarto and La Crique.
“Unfortunately, I think it is going to come up really strong now with Legarto there, which makes it pretty tough.”
In addition to the fillies, Te Akau Racing’s younger racing team will be in the spotlight.
Two-year-old gelding Cognoscenti is set to make his debut at Hawera on Saturday.
Bergerson expressed excitement, stating, “It will be exciting to see Cognoscenti head to Hawera for the two-year-old race on Saturday. He is an interesting runner, and I think he will present a really nice chance.”