Scarlett Lady back on track

3rd Feb 2012

Queensland Oaks heroine Scarlett Lady (NZ) (Savabeel) is nominated to  make her first racetrack appearance in almost five months in the Listed Tui Breweries Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Tauherenikau on Monday.

Scarlett Lady (NZ)

Trained by Tuhikaramea trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Scarlett Lady (NZ) will be having her first run in New Zealand since finishing quickly from the rear of the field to claim seventh in the Group One Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hawke’s Bay.

Undefeated throughout her autumn/winter campaign last year, the four-year-old mare looked destined for Spring Carnival glory before suffering a minor bone chip in the Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

“She’ll go down there for that mile and she’s done plenty of groundwork,” Debbie Rogerson said. “We couldn’t be any happier with her at the moment.”

Scarlett Lady (NZ) has had two trials in preparation for the event, taking out the latest on Tuesday at Paeroa by a commanding margin of four lengths.

“She had a short trial over 1000 metres (at Te Awamutu) and then the mile one and she’s come through that really well,” Rogerson said. “We’ll get this first race over with and look at whether she has a light autumn and then come back for the spring. We’ll wait and see how she does.”

A one-time Caulfield Cup favourite, Scarlett Lady (NZ) is likely to head to Australia for a crack at Autumn Carnival riches.

“We’ll take it as it comes and there are options for her in Sydney and Melbourne,” said Debbie Rogerson.

Scarlett Lady (NZ) is likely to face a competitive field which boasts rivals of the calibre of the Kevin Gray-trained Testa Secret (Testa Rossa).

To view the nominations for this race, please click here.