Class is set to Sweet Coco a long way when she steps out as part of a big Kentuckiana Lodge team at Addington on Friday night.
The three-year-old returns to racing in a Nevele R Fillies Series heat after being freshened by trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety.
Sweet Coco must start from barrier 9 under the race’s preferential barrier draw conditions.
Thought she looks to have a big task in front of her, driver Carter Dalgety is confident she can go a big race.
“There are a couple of nice ones in there but a lot of the field haven’t gone out there and done what she has done lately,” Carter said.
“The nine draw won’t be easy by any stretch, but I am pretty hopeful that it won’t be the end of her chances.”
“She is a quality filly.”
Though she hasn’t raced since mid-July the Kentuckiana camp feels Sweet Coco is forward enough to make an impact in Friday night’s race.
The filly had a quiet run at the Rangiora trials recently without being asked for much of an effort.
“She is a very athletic filly, she doesn’t take a lot of work to get back up and going,” Carter said.
“The trial was nice and she has come on from it.”
“She seems to have really improved with her break, so hopefully she can go up a notch at the races now that she will be taking on the better fillies.”
Kentuckiana Lodge also starts Black Pearl in Friday night’s fillies heat and she is expected to produce a much better effort.
“We made a gear change in her last start and she really resented it,” Carter said.
“Hopefully she is back to her old self this week, her work has been very good.”
“She is a Group One placed filly and most of this field haven’t been to that level, so she should be pretty competitive.”
Republican Party returns to get his New Zealand Cup preparation underway in Friday night’s New Brighton Cup.
Kentuckiana Lodge has given the four-year-old one trial to prepare for his return, in which he ran very well.
Blair Oranges sticks with Republican Party on race day, but Carter drove the horse in his recent trial as well as in a lot of his recent work.
“His trial was super, he got to the line really nicely.”
“We would usually give him another trial but the chance to qualify for the Cup this week was too tempting.”
“He is forward enough to go a good race, stepping away will be the key to him.”
“He has done it at the trials and he is a very sensible horse, so hopefully he can do it at the races.”
Casino Action also heads back to Addington on Friday night.
The four-year-old got too far back in his last run at Addington and is capable of better.
“Hopefully we can get a bit handier this week,” Carter said.
“He seems bright and he is in a grade that he has been very competitive in before.”
Fernetti is ready to return to racing for Kentuckiana Lodge and also heads to Addington on Friday night.
“He has done well since having a freshen up, he has come back better for it.”
“It is a handy field but he’s got a better draw than some of the better chances, so hopefully he can run well.”
The Night Fox will debut for Kentuckiana Lodge after being purchased by owner Mick Boots recently.
“He hasn’t done anything wrong since he has joined us," Carter said.
“He still has a little bit to learn but it looks a very even field so he should be a good chance.”
