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Lauren Tate’s performance at Tauranga this weekend will dictate the direction of the mare’s autumn search for further black type honours.

Consistency has been a hallmark of her career and it’s been no different this campaign with three cheques from four appearances – two of them earned in Group One company.

“She’s gone close, but so far away all the same,” said John Morell, who bred, owns and trains the mare. “She tries all the time and no matter what we put her in she gives her best.”

Successful in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes last season, Lauren Tate boasts a career record of four wins and 14 placings from 21 starts.

She will make her next appearance in Saturday’s Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Japan NZ International Trophy and her effort will decide whether she continues to race at a mile or further.

“If she goes okay we’ll look at the Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha or we could go to the Breeders’ Stakes at Awapuni over 2000 metres,” Morell said.

Lauren Tate, whose dam Haylee Baylee won the latter event in 2006, has consecutive fourth placings over ground in the Herbie Dyke Stakes and the New Zealand Stakes.