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Wildflower could find herself in elite company later this season if she continues her sharp progression at Trentham on Saturday.
The four-year-old mare will chase her third straight win when she tackles Saturday's John Turkington Forestry Douro Cup (1600m) and trainer Graham Richardson can see no reason why she can't keep her winning sequence going.
"She's come through her last win very well. She's just working life out now," Richardson said."When she won at Awapuni, she probably got to the front a bit earlier than we wanted to and got a bit lost, but she got to the line strongly at Ellerslie the other day.
"She's still working a few things out but one day she'll be a nice staying mare, certainly one good enough for black-type company."TAB bookmakers opened Wildflower a $5.50 second favourite for the Douro Cup behind last-start Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile runner-up All Roads, at $4.
"We think she'll run well again. She's in on a nice weight and she'll be suited by a bit of rain and the big, roomy track."Raced by Sir Peter Vela, who bred the mare in partnership with his late brother Philip, Wildflower could earn herself a shot at the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on March 17 with a bold performance on Saturday. That race in turn could lead to a start in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha three weeks later.
Meanwhile, Richardson has reported his star filly Volpe Veloce to be in prime condition ahead of her shot at Sunday week's New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie.Unbeaten in six starts, Volpe Veloce had five days in the paddock after her Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic win at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
"She's really well. She had five days off and she's put on weight," Richardson said."It's going to be a good field but it's a challenge we're really looking forward to."
Richardson said Volpe Veloce was likely to progress to the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa a fortnight later before a decision on which Classic she targets was made."If she goes well enough at Ellerslie and she comes through it OK, there's the Sir Tristram Classic 13 days later and then I'll sit down with the owners and decide if she goes to the Oaks or the Derby," Richardson said.