Trainer Donna Logan has revealed that talented mare Rising Romance will likely begin her autumn campaign in New Zealand before heading to Australia for the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Rising Romance finished a close second behind Admire Rakti in the 2014 edition of the Caulfield Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rising Romance has raced exclusively in Australia since she finished second behind Puccini in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie in March of last year, but Logan told Sky Racing HQ that she was planning to give the Ekraar mare two starts in her home country before she contests the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in Sydney.
“We are looking to trial and then possibly a couple of runs in New Zealand,” Logan said.
“She hasn’t raced here for some time and then obviously over to Sydney.
“There are a couple of races that will lead us up nicely and there isn’t the pressure of racing in Sydney and being away from home.
“If she has a pretty hard race I always have the option of throwing her in the paddock for a couple of days and it is an advantage, but she is definitely Sydney bound.
“The BMW is her crack distance, but we have to contemplate the Queen Elizabeth after that.”
Rising Romance was unable to record a race win during her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but produced an outstanding performance to finish second behind Admire Rakti in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18 and finished a credible sixth in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
The four-year-old was sent to the spelling paddock following the Mackinnon Stakes and Logan said that her star galloper had taken a great deal of benefit during her break away from her Ruakaka stable.
“She has just thrived,” Logan said.
“She has strengthened no end, really filled out through the shoulder and her back end and it is going to be exciting with her kicking off.
“She has just started her speed work and we might give her a quiet exhibition gallop on Karaka Millions night.
“She is such a pleasure to work with and the clients are lucky to have a horse of this caliber.
“She is a true professional.”
Rising Romance has recorded four wins from her 15 race starts, including the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m), and she has accumulated over $1 million in prizemoney for connections.
