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Deliciano has given every impression of running the ultimate flat trip and she will open her Cup campaign at Awapuni on Saturday.

The Darci Brahma mare hasn’t raced since May, but she is forward to resume over 2100 metres in the Rating 85 John Turkington Forestry Handicap.

“She’s had a trip to Taupo and a gallop there and it’s a waste of time running her over 1400 or 1600 metres,” said trainer Steven Ramsay, who prepares the six-year-old with Julia Ritchie at Maungatautari.

“We’ve got an uphill track here and we can get them quite fit – she’s definitely ready for it.

“Her long-term aim is the New Zealand Cup, she’s an out and out stayer and she’s been placed at 2500 metres. She gives us every indication that she’ll be able to run two miles.”

The stable currently has 26 in work, mainly lightly-tried or unraced horses, and the onset of the warmer weather will see them out in force.

“We’ve got a lot of younger ones and when the tracks get better there’ll be a fair few of them seen out and about,” Ramsay said.

Among the proven team is the Group Three-winning Irish import Scintillula, who has transferred from Sheila Laxon’s care, and the promising mares Biddable and Silver Eclipse.

“Scintillula has been plagued by the wet tracks and all going well she’ll trial at Avondale in 10 days’ time,” Ramsay said. “She really likes good ground and there will be plenty of options ahead for her.

“Biddable and Silver Eclipse are both well and they’ll be out in about two or three weeks.”

Biddable has won three of her 11 starts while Silver Eclipse is also a three-time winner and both mares will be chasing black type this preparation.