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Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb already has a Group One placing next to her name, and owner-trainer Kim Reid is hoping to improve on that in the coming months.
The daughter of Complacent was runner-up to Snazzytavi in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa in October, and she will return to the Hamilton venue on Saturday to try and turn the tables on her nemesis in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1400m).
In-between runs, Hi Yo Sass Bomb finished a creditable fourth in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last month, and has had an easy time of it since following a health scare.
"Off the back of that (Pukekohe run) she had a bit of gunk come out of her nose and had a swab taken," Reid said. "They (vets) put it down to allergies, so I have just eased off a little bit for a week there, but she seems to have bounced back okay."
The six-year-old mare readied for her weekend assignment with a jumpout earlier this week, and Reid said she is on song for the Cal Isuzu, which she finished fifth in last year to Saturday race rival Campionessa.
"We had a jumpout on Tuesday and she came home really nicely. She is very well," Reid said.
Hi Yo Sass Bomb will jump from the ace barrier this weekend, which isn't ideal for the mare, but Reid is confident jockey Joe Doyle can work his magic.
"It is not ideal," Reid said. "We would prefer to have drawn three or four, but it is what it is, Joe will have to bring some tricks because I am sure Opie (Bosson, jockey) will try and box us in from there (aboard Campionessa), but I am sure Joe will have it sorted."
Following Saturday, Group One assignments await Hi Yo Sass Bomb, which could come as soon as Boxing Day at Ellerslie.
"We will see how she goes tomorrow and also the following week," Reid said. "I have got thoughts of possibly the Zabeel (Gr.1, 2000m) on Boxing Day and/or the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m), and the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) later on."
Following Saturday, Reid will make the long trek down to Trentham on Sunday to line-up stablemate and close relation Hi Yo Legacy in the Grant Plumbing 1600.
The five-year-old son of Per Incanto won on debut over a mile at New Plymouth, and while confident of a bold showing this weekend, Reid said he still has a lot of developing to do.
"He is such a big, rangy horse, and he is a bit goofy," she said. "I know he is five, but he has still got a lot of strengthening up to do. I think he has come on a little bit stronger (from his win) but he has still got a long way to go."
Hi Yo Legacy is out of a half-sister to the dam of Hi Yo Sass Bomb, and while closely related to the Group One performer, Reid said they are nothing alike.
"They are completely opposite, you wouldn't pick them being related at all," she said. "She is smart and sassy and very intelligent, and he is a big, lanky, goofy horse."
Reid is looking forward to testing Hi Yo Legacy on Trentham's big, roomy track on Sunday, believing it will suit his big frame.
"I thought Trentham might suit him with the big, long straight," she said. "It will be interesting to see how he goes there."