Group One plans for three-year-olds from the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson stable will become clearer after this weekend.
With a throng of Classic-aged runners at various venues, several get their chance to press claims for a trip to Riccarton for next month's 1000 and 2000 Guineas.
But Debbie Rogerson said that while this weekend's runs would guide them on future plans, nothing would be set in stone until later this month.
"We usually don't make our mind up till after Labour weekend. There's a lot of water to go under the bridge before then," she said.
While a Soriano win in Saturday's Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings would give the Rogersons most satisfaction this weekend as they seek to repeat Costume's win in the weight-for-age feature last year, their nine three-year-olds dominate their stable representation.
Magic Dancer, Wawrinka and Jacquetta clash in Friday's Hinuera Lodge 3yo 1200 at Te Rapa, Serena Miss, Maritimo and Thwayya tackle Saturday's Gr.3 Windsor Park/Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings ahead of Lucky Edie's run in the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) at the same venue, while Mossomak and Esbeedee race at Te Awamutu on Sunday.
"It would be good if the weather stays like it is, so we get a good line on them all but the forecast is for rain so we'll just have to deal with that if it comes," Rogerson said.
Apart from looming wet weather, the Rogersons' biggest headache is wide draws.
While Maritimo drew well in barrier three in the Gold Trail Stakes, Serena Miss drew 14 and Thwayya came up with gate 16.
"I'm not at all happy with the draws. Maritimo is all right but the other two have drawn atrociously and it might come down to the best-ridden horse that gets the money. It might be a very tactical race," Rogerson said.
"We took the three of them to Te Rapa last Saturday for a good hitout and they all worked very well. We'll just get Saturday out of the way to see which direction we go but we are a bit behind the eight-ball now for the Victoria Oaks for Serena Miss so we'll probably just concentrate on the Guineas for her and Maritimo.
"Thwayya is an out-and-out sprinting filly so we'll just restrict her to the shorter trips. She's stakes-placed and entitled to be there and her work has been very good."
On Hawke's Bay Guineas contender Lucky Edie, Rogerson said: "We're very happy with him. He'll run a nice race."
Closer to home, the Rogersons hold a strong hand in the three-year-old race at Te Rapa, though Magic Dancer faces a tough task from barrier 13.
"She's drawn by the pie stand. I thought she was the best of the three because she went a good race for fifth in the Listed race at Wanganui last time but the draw makes it hard," Rogerson said.
"Wawrinka is in with no weight, he's very honest and he should run along and Jacquetta has been working well and we think she'll go a good race." - NZ Racing Desk
Photo by Trish Dunell
