Otago trainer Shane Anderton is hoping Group One luck will strike for a second time at Te Rapa when he lines up two horses in the International Stakes.
Anderton will start both The Solitaire and The Glitzy One in the 2000m weight-for-age event, which has drawn a useful if not stellar field on Saturday.
They will be trying to emulate The Glitzy One’s dam The Jewel, who won the race in 2005.
Anderton comes from a family which has had great success in the racing industry as trainers and breeders – their White Robe Lodge Stud was the home of outstanding 1980s stallion Noble Bijou – but Group One runners have been a rarity in recent years.
“The last time we probably had a Group One runner was when The Jewel won this race,” Anderton said.
Both horses are rated solid chances in the 10-horse field, The Solitaire a $7 chance after winning a listed race at Pukekohe last month, with The Glitzy One a $14 chance after finishing fifth in the same race.
“As long as the track’s good The Solitaire is more the one – she’s got a nice draw, she can run on the pace and she can sprint well too,” Anderton said.
“The other mare hasn’t got that electrifying sprint but she’s got that staying ability and will keep going.”
Both mares are likely to head to cup week in Auckland in early March, with The Solitaire being aimed at the 2000m New Zealand Stakes and The Glitzy One set for the Auckland Cup (3200m).
Historian, winner of the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, is a $4.80 favourite in what looks an open race.
Also double-handed at Group One level at Te Rapa on Saturday are Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso, who start Bounding and Xanadu in the Waikato Sprint (1400m).
Bounding, winner of the Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, is the early favourite at $3 while Xanadu, runner-up last year, is talented enough to make an impact at her first autumn run.
