Soriano is heading to Hastings for a third crack at the Livamol Classic.
Plans for the mare to contest the weight-for-age feature on October 3 were not altered by the abandonment of the second day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival last weekend.
“She didn’t have to have another race,” co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said. ”We have got great facilities here [at Tuhikaramea] that we can use to get them fit.
“She has done plenty of work and looks super.”
There was another minor hiccup on Monday for potential Livamol contenders, including Soriano, with the cancellation of the Te Teko trials scheduled for Tuesday.
Soriano would have had a run at the trials, but will now have an exhibition gallop, most likely at Te Aroha on Friday, instead.
The Savabeel mare, who has had two runs in a new campaign, will be stepping up to her favourite distance in the Livamol and she shapes as the horse to beat, with early favourite Kawi now an unlikely runner.
Soriano has had four wins and 10 minor placings from 16 middle distance (1800m-2100m) starts and she has only once failed to weigh in.
She won two Group One weight-for-age races - the Zabeel Classic and Herbie Dyke Stakes - at 2000m last term and has already had two placings in the Livamol.
She finished fourth in 2013, beaten 1.8 lengths behind Ransomed, and was a close third last year, beaten in a tight finish by Costume and Shuka.
Soriano’s stablemates Serena Miss and Maritimo had been acceptors for the Gold Trail Stakes last weekend and will run in the re-scheduled race on October 3.
However, missing a race last weekend has meant that Serena Miss is likely to focus on the Guineas races at Riccarton in November, rather than head to the Melbourne spring carnival.
Stablemate Thwayya might also run in the Gold Trail, while Wanganui Guineas placegetter Lucky Edie will tackle the Hawke’s Bay Guineas. – NZ Racing Desk.
Photo by Trish Dunell Photography
