Debbie Rogerson is one half of the Rogerson training duo that’s responsible for syphoning so much of Australia’s prize money back across the ditch to New Zealand.
They do it with a steady stream of tip line horses that just seems to be able to perform no matter where they’re racing.
They also only seem to improve as the races stretch out in distance meaning the spring carnival is tailor made for the Rogerson stable to take advantage of that exchange rate even more this year.
They have two top liners in action at Caulfield and Rosehill tomorrow, both Scarlett Lady and Dowager Queen back in the country.
They ran so well during the Brisbane winter carnival, especially Scarlett Lady who won the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
She’ll have her first up test in the Underwood Stakes against a field of 15.
“She’s settled in well, travelled over good and very happy with her,” Rogerson said.
She admits though that even at 1800m the finish line could come up a bit too soon.
“Might be a fraction short for her because her main aims the Caulfield Cup…but I’m very happy with where she’s at at this stage,” she said.
She says she’s improved from her run back home in the Champions Stakes where she ran on well late but was outpaced over 1400m.
“Even with that run at Hastings and around home she’s striped fitter and looks superb,” Rogerson said.
She could be sent all the way to two miles for the Melbourne Cup but the Caulfield feature si the main one they’ve come for.
“Her main aims the Caulfield Cup and we’ll take each bridge as it comes,” she said.
That’s not forgetting about Dowager Queen though, she ran two fourth placings during the Brisbane carnival and looks to be an even better horse returning as a three year old.
“She’s really developed and she showed that winning first up at home,” Rogerson said.
She’ll run in the Tea Rose Stakes, an event being billed as the race of the weekend by some punters.
“It’s a very good field but she’ll give them a good shake tomorrow, it’ll be interesting how she shapes up,” she said.
“She’ll be up a little bit handier probably mid field (from barrier four).”
