Southern filly enjoys winning Guineas preparation

[Wandering Eyes]

Genuine filly Miss Ziggy ticked a significant box for trainer Andrew Carston during her trouble-free build-up to Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

The local hope has spent most of her career competing in strong age group company and delivered an overdue victory two runs back.

“I needed to get a win out of the way, and I thought I might have got that before I did, but since she won it has been plain sailing,” he said.

“I’m very happy with my horse and the one thing I’ve said through this prep is that we haven’t had to do any travelling, we’ve just had to go across the fence.”

Miss Ziggy placed in her first two starts last term before heading north to finish fourth in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and then ventured further afield.

Her following four starts were all at Ellerslie where ran a gallant third in the Karaka Millions (1200m) behind La Dorada and the now Victorian-based Vega For Luck.

Most recently on her home Riccarton turf, the daughter of Brazen Beau finished fifth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and third in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) with her maiden win in between times.

Miss Ziggy will again be ridden by Kylie Williams, who has the task of overcoming a potentially tricky draw of 10.

“The barrier is no help and some of the more favoured fillies from the north have drawn to get pretty soft runs,” Carston said.

“I just have to worry about my filly though, and everything has gone to plan so fingers crossed for some luck.

“I don’t think she will have trouble with the distance and I’ve got her the best she can be, it’s a pleasure to have a filly in a Group One at a big carnival for one of my biggest supporters.”

Raced by the Ritchie family, Miss Ziggy is currently at $41 in the Guineas market despite her consistent run of past and current form.

“She was near enough to a 100 to one in the Karaka Million, so I’m not worried about that,” Carston said.

He will have five other representatives in action on the opening day of the New Zealand Cup carnival, including two in the Blue Star Taxis Premier (1400m).

“Say Satono hasn’t had the rub of the green, but I can’t fault her and gets Kylie back on which is a big help and the other mare Maybe Diva has done nothing wrong during the prep,” Carston said.

“Mogul has been close enough and Ess Vee Are has been slightly disappointing, but he drops a long way in grade and I expect to see a good showing from him.”

Mogul runs in the Scenic Hotel Group Premier (1200m), Ess Vee Are takes on the Road Metals Premier (2000m) with Hard Attack to step out in the Garrards Horse & Hound Premier (1200m).

“Her best runs have been when we’ve ridden her quietly, so hopefully she can get some cover down the chute and get her chance,” Carston said.

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