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Duchess Kate, Hiflyer and Lizzie L’Amour look three-year-olds to follow with confidence after sterling efforts at Ellerslie on Monday.
They successfully took on the older horses to trifecta The New Zealand Herald 1400 and can continue their progress in upcoming age group features.
Duchess Kate, who holds Group One nominations for the Levin Classic and the Wellfield NZ Oaks, has now won two of her six starts and three runs back she finished a sound fifth in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes.“She was a little bit unlucky at her last start as well,” winning rider Michael Coleman said. “She finished off well and I thought she would be a good chance today.
“We got clear about 200 metres out and she finished off well.”Trained by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Duchess Kate was well back in the early running but when the field fanned out in the straight she willingly took her chance.
“She’s done a great job,” Te Akau Stables representative Pam Gerard said. “Michael got her to settle and they got the splits.“Stephen and Jamie have been very patient with this filly.”
The Peter Lock-trained favourite Hiflyer stormed home from near last on the turn to run second and Lizzie L’Amour, in just her second appearance from the stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, also found the line strongly for third.Hiflyer is nominated for the Gr.1 Levin Classic while Lizzie L’Amour is entered in the Gr.1 BMW NZ Derby and the Oaks.