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Hastings suits in-form stayer; Rain would boost black type hopes; Oliver likes Kiwi mare’s chances

Hastings suits in-form stayer

Silverdale is booked in for a return on Saturday week to one of his favourite haunts.

He will make his next appearance in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup at Hastings where he is a multiple winner and a Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas placegetter.

Silverdale has more recently finished in the money in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup, the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup and the Listed Kaimai Stakes for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

Rain would boost black type hopes

Michael Breslin would like to see a further easing of the ground at Awapuni for his two-pronged attack on the feature event there on Friday.

The local trainer will be represented by Letsgetiton and Crackling Rosie in the Gr.3 Swap Stockfoods Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes.

“Letsgetiton is probably going a touch better than the other mare, but I’d prefer the track to be a bit wetter for them,” Breslin said.

Oliver likes Kiwi mare’s chances

A New Zealand-bred contender for Sydney’s richest race is rated a leading prospect by her vastly-experienced jockey.

Savabeel’s daughter Lucia Valentina will be ridden by Damien Oliver, who said the mare was a strong hope in Saturday’s $A4 million Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“Lucia Valentina's got great wet track form, she's been really set for the race coming into it second-up and she goes in with a good chance.”

A dual Group One winner for trainer Kris Lees, Lucia Valentina finished fourth in last month’s Gr.1 Coolmore Classic when resuming following her fifth placing in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup before Christmas.