Rising Romance has been transferred to the care of the Lindsay Park operation for her 2015 Spring Carnival campaign, and co-trainer Tom Dabernig has revealed the mare appears likely to return to competition in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 12th.
Rising Romance appears likely to return to racing in the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart
Beginning her racing career under the care of Dean and Donna Logan in her native New Zealand, Rising Romance announced herself to the Australian racing community through an impressive 2014 Autumn campaign; running a luckless fourth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before charging home to win the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) during The Championships.
Dabernig told Racing Ahead he has been very impressed by the form, class and maturity displayed by the Ekraar mare since her arrival at Euroa and revealed she will likely contest two trials, including one on Friday morning, before returning in the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes.
“She’s a great pick up for the stables and has a really good constitution,” Dabernig said.
“She looks lovely and sound so she’ll have a jump out.
“Early on we had the Memsie mapped out but we’re just going to wait now and she’ll probably have two jump outs before running first-up at Flemington in the Let’s Elope over 1400m.
“We’re trying to lock in Dwayne Dunn for her campaign, and he will ride her in the jump out tomorrow.”
Posting five wins and seven minors through eighteen career starts so far, Rising Romance has been a strong and consistent performer since first appearing on course for fourth in the Industry Security Specialists Maiden (1200m) at Avondale in October, 2013.
Posting a maiden win in the Wairoa Stud Breeders Maiden (1400m) in only her third competitive appearance, Rising Romance made a successful transition to black type racing in taking out the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) and continued to impress in running second in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) leading into her maiden Australian trip.
Returning to Australia during the 2014 Spring Carnival, the mare out of Post Romance finished fourth in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) first-up, and while unable to figure when seventh in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1500m), responded well in running second in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) and major Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best early odds for all major Spring Carnival races, for which Rising Romance can be taken at a quote of $26 to win the Caulfield Cup.
