Group-performed mare Stylish Attack will make an overdue return at Tauranga on Friday

After a combination of injuries and inclement weather ruled her out for the spring, a start in the Crockford Real Estate Open (1400m) will end a frustrating time for owner-trainer Graeme Hughes.

“She was supposed to be racing in October, but she stood on a shoe in August and that took five weeks to come right,” the Cambridge horseman said.

“Then she had another little issue and we had all the wet tracks after that.

“She’s very well now and she trialled well. They’ll know she’s there on Friday and whatever the weather does she needs to get out there and make a start.”

Stylish Attack will be chasing a breakthrough black type victory having placings in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) on her CV.

“I’d like to take her down for the Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes and have another crack at the Cuddle Stakes.”

Stylish Attack also finished a close seventh in last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), a race on her autumn programme again.

Stablemate Blue Shadow is also close to resuming following a trial success in an open 1000m heat at Te Aroha on Tuesday.

The Dalghar four-year-old hasn’t raced since she completed a hat-trick of wins with a runaway victory at the expense of the stakes performers Mystery Show and Alamer at Te Rapa in June.