Stakes winner Akari will be chasing an overdue success when she heads to Scone for the opening day of their showcase carnival.
Trainer Brad Widdup does not need to be reminded that Akari has endured an extended drought from the winner’s stall but he remains optimistic the mare has another good victory in store.
Her last taste of success was in the 2019 Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington during her spring three-year-old season, although she has subsequently been competitive in black-type company, including placing in last year’s P J Bell Stakes.
A solid fourth to Sweet Deal from a wide draw in the Hawkesbury Crown, Akari has gate two in Friday’s Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone and Widdup is hoping the breaks might finally go the way of his mare.
“It is a long time since she’s won but she has been a filly who hasn’t had it easy, she has raced in a high grade for most of her career. It makes it bloody hard,” Widdup said.
“If she can get a trouble-free run and be saved up for as long as possible, that seems to suit her.
“Even her runs in Melbourne at the end of the carnival, they were great runs but she had no luck. She is a little filly and she just needs everything to go her way.”
Andrew Adkins has the ride on Akari and will be looking for his second win in the race after partnering Daysee Doom to victory four years ago.
A field of 16 will contest the Dark Jewel Classic, including last year’s winner Irithea who scored for Bjorn Baker 12 months ago and is now under the care of Warwick Farm horseman Clarry Conners.
