Right-handed test for high-class mare at Ellerslie

Top quality performer Grail Seeker will be heading in a new direction on Saturday when she attempts to add to her record at the highest level.

The daughter of Iffraaj will spearhead a four-strong Wexford Stables assault on the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie in her pursuit of a third top-flight title.

Grail Seeker was an emphatic first-up winner of the event last season, then named the Tarzino Trophy and raced at Hastings, before also claiming the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham later in the season.

“She’s proven at weight-for-age, she’s proven at the distance and she’s coming in on a similar path to last year having trialled well,” said Andrew Scott, who trains Grail Seeker with Lance O’Sullivan.

“The only thing that is different is the right hand turn versus the left, and she hasn’t had opportunities going right-handed to show her best yet.

“We don’t think she’s disadvantaged by it, but she hasn’t raced at the same level going right to left.

“Apart from that, her body weight is the same as last year, she’s been eating well and thriving, and we expect a similar performance.”

Grail Seeker will be ridden by Bruno Querioz, who has been aboard in both of her lead-up trials.

“He’s made a strong impression since he’s been in New Zealand, he’s ridden with a great deal of success in different jurisdictions around the world,” Scott said.

Grail Seeker is the shortest in the market of the stable’s runners, but Waitak, Tomodachi and Checkmate aren’t considered lesser hopes.

“They are very hard to split, they all have legitimate chances and the team has put an incredible amount of work into them to have them near their peaks for the race,” Scott said.

“Waitak is super consistent and he’s raced at a high level all his career and we think we’ve got him very fresh and well.

“Last year, we trialled him twice and he had quite a tough run in the Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m) and he then lacked the zip, which we think he’s got now.

“He’ll sprint well fresh and is certainly well capable and any rain will aid his chances. We certainly think we’ve got him as well as he can be and see him being very competitive.”

Waitak will be ridden by Craig Grylls while Joe Doyle takes the ride on Tomodachi and Lynsey Satherley takes the reins aboard Checkmate.

“We think Tomodachi is up to this class, the thing with mares is that they have their time of the year,” Scott said.

“This is the first time we’ve tried her this early in the season, usually it’s been summer and autumn, but everything indicates that she’s going really, really well.

“We’ve always believed in her ability to get to this level.”

Tomodachi ended her last preparation with victory in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), while Checkmate won the Listed Armacup 3YO (1500m), ran third in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m).

“He never let us down and we took him to Sydney (for the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas, 2000m), but he didn’t stay and it was at the end of his campaign,” Scott said.

“He was so consistent and raced against our best three-year-olds and was always very competitive and raced well at Ellerslie.

“We really think a lot of him and hopefully he can take the next step. Any rain won’t worry him either.”