Daffodil Impresses At Trials (February 16 2010)

Crack WS mare Daffodil emphasised her readiness for a return to racing when she stepped out at today's Otaki trials. The four-year-old delighted trainer Kevin Gray with her effort to win a 1000 metres heat by a length and a-quarter for stable apprentice Aimee Taylor.

"I'm really happy with her and she was timed to run her last 600 in 33 seconds so she's doing very well," Gray said. "She'll run in the open sprint at New Plymouth on Saturday and then go back to Otaki for the weight-for-age event."

Taylor, who guided Daffodil into second at Hastings last year when resuming, is likely to have ride on Saturday and Hayden Tinsley will take over for the Gr 1 Otaki-Maori WFA on February 28. The daughter of No Excuse Needed will then cross the Tasman for two Gr 1 assignments.

"There's the Australian Cup and then the main one will be the BMW in April at Rosehill," Gray said. "She hasn't been rushed and has done a lot of work and she looks magnificent." With Gr 1 victories in the NZ 1000 Guineas, Windsor Park Plate and the AJC Oaks to her credit, Daffodil is within touching distance of $1 million in career earnings.

She will be joined at New Plymouth by stablemate and last-start winner Promenade. The WS-bred and owned half-sister by Savabeel to the farm's NZ Oaks and Kelt Capital Stakes winner Legs, also prepared by Gray, will contest the three-year-old event.

"She's been a bit of a slow learner and a laid-back filly but I'm really starting to like her," Gray said. "She's just needed a bit of time and is improving with the experience all the while. If she went another good race we might have to think about a late entry for the Oaks."