Exciting filly Molly Bloom will look to continue her path towards New Zealand Cup week when she contests a competitive Gr.2 Jamieson Park Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.
The talented daughter of Ace High burst into conversation for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) when she stylishly cleared maiden ranks at Taupo in September for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Faced with her first three-year-old age group test last start at Hastings, the filly looked to be scorching home late but showed her raceday inexperience to greenly cross onto heels passing the 100m, finishing just over a length from the eventual victor in Cannon Hill in fifth.
The Wexford Stables contingent is looking forward to seeing an improved Molly Bloom contest the Pukekohe feature, where she will once again partner with senior hoop Joe Doyle.
“We’re really pleased with her. She’s still on the inexperienced side, but she’s had a good fortnight and had a good bit of work this week with great enthusiasm,” Scott said.
“We went to Hastings knowing that there was a wee bit of improvement to come post-race, and we believe there will certainly be further improvement to come following tomorrow.
“She’s a long-striding filly that is looking for a bit of ground so the big roomy track at Pukekohe should really suit her, and going right-handed with a wee bit of give in the ground won’t bother her.”
Scott was pleased to see Molly Bloom secure the ace barrier for the Soliloquy, where he feels her inexperience can be assisted.
“It’s most certainly an advantage, when you have inexperience being able to fold away quickly is very beneficial for the horse,” he said.
“From the more economical draw it will certainly aid her chances, she’s likely going to have the fence to guide her for a fair while and hopefully she can work her way into the clear.”
A full 14-strong field of three-year-old fillies will contest the Group Two feature, with Molly Bloom currently sitting a $4.20 race-favourite with TAB bookmakers ahead of Luberon at $4.80, and Mary Shan on the third line of betting at $6.
Despite holding the favouritism, Scott is well aware of the calibre of fillies Molly Bloom will contest on Saturday.
Thirteen of the 14 starters have recorded victories and multiple hold stakes performances to their record, with Glamour Tycoon the sole maidener, having recorded four runner-up placings including a stakes placing at two.
“We’re under no illusion it’ll be a tough field tomorrow,” Scott said.
“This is quite a step up, it looks to be a strong Soliloquy field this season and we’ll certainly get a line on how we’re tracking through the first half of the season as far as these three-year-old fillies races go.”
A strong Pukekohe performance would likely see Molly Bloom head to Riccarton on the 18th of November for the 1000 Guineas, where she and Lance Noble’s Luberon share present favouritism at $5.
“We’re ever hopeful she’ll take the next step (to the Guineas), it’ll be very much performance-based before we go on a long trip to Christchurch,” Scott said.
“She’s got to show she’s up to them, have a good week next week and go the right way with a long season ahead.”
Wexford Stables will also have promising five-year-old Ask Mum resuming in the Haunui Farm 1400, where Scott hopes she can pick up where she left off last preparation.
The lightly-tried Ocean Park mare commenced racing in April 2022, and has recorded three victories from her six career starts to date, all coming in succession over the 1400m distance earlier this year.
“She had a good season last time in, she’s come back a stronger mare this season and benefitted a lot from her last prep in experience and confidence,” Scott said.
“She’s a late developer hence being lightly-tried for a five-year-old mare, but she’s come back stronger.”
Ask Mum pleased Scott with a strong trial at Matamata on October 10 behind Soliloquy hope Oneira, however, he did have queries of raceday fitness and the right-handed course at Pukekohe for the mare.
“We do believe she goes better going left-handed than right, and being a year older she’s probably going to need the run to have her up fit and sharp, but her trial at Matamata recently was really encouraging and she went to the line on a nice rein,” he said.
“We’re expecting her to be competitive tomorrow, but she should be in for a good summer with the run under her belt and with a left-handed track where she can quicken better.
“The good track’s not a bother at all, she’s a light-fitted mare and with her fitness levels not being high yet, the quicker ground will help her, soft ground might catch her fitness a little bit.
