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The connections of exciting galloper Levante will be looking for an indication on any changes to the current trans-Tasman travel restrictions before making a decision on her next raceday assignment.
While one-way travel to Australia is no issue, returning home is a significant headache for New Zealanders, with two weeks quarantine still mandatory and places in managed isolation at a premium.
The four-year-old daughter of Proisir was on her A-game at Ellerslie on Saturday, dominating her rivals in her customary last-to-first style at what was her first try over 1600m.
Most importantly, the high-class mare jumped cleanly from the barriers, having previously bombed the start in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa last month.
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A wide draw and a step up in class couldn’t hold down underrated mare Showoroses as she led from go to whoa to take out the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie.
The Joanne Surgenor-trained four-year-old had employed similar tactics against her own sex when taking out the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa last month.
Friday’s contest pitted her against the best of the boys as well, with rider Vinnie Colgan once again seizing the initiative after Showoroses worked her way to the lead inside the opening 300m.
Colgan let his charge bowl along without a care in the world before applying the pressure from the 600m. Asked for a serious effort in the straight, Showoroses established a winning break before clinging gamely to her lead to score by a length from Demonetization with New Plymouth visitor Coventina Bay a nose back in third.