The Bureau Of Meteorology is forecasting more rain for Perth this week and that suits trainer Michelle Hagley and her Rommel mare Desert Nymph leading up to Saturday’s meeting at Belmont.
Desert Nymph has relished wet conditions this month on a Heavy 8 at Pinjarra and Heavy 9 at Belmont and can complete a hat-trick in the Peters Investments Hcp (1300m). She has opened at $4.80 in early betting behind $3.40 favourite Sentimental Belle (Nicconi).
“She’s done really well since that last win,” Hagley reported on Thursday morning. “It’s her third run this month and we keep her fresh at home between runs.”
Hagley is based at Pinjarra and trains Desert Nymph for her mother Kate. The daughter of Ridgeport Farm sire Rommel and Fairy Nymph (Equiano) cost $16,000 as a yearling and her bank-balance has advanced to $124,000 and counting.
Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo also updated news of his Adelaide-based stablemates Kuroyanagi (Written Tycoon) and Boognish (Sooboog) on Thursday.
Kuroyanagi (pictured) was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February and was last seen finishing fourth as a $2.50 favourite in a red-hot renewal of the G3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
“She was a bit disappointing but we will know more after a jump-out next Thursday,” Guagliardo said. Kuroyanagi is trained by Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea as is Boognish who won this year’s G3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Boognish just failed to meet a $400,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday. “We will keep Boognish” Guagliardo continued. “They were paying big money for mares but the bidding came up short of our reserve. She will also have a jump-out at Murray Bridge next week.”
Guagliardo revealed his LR Cinderella Stakes (1050m) winner Show Royale (Showtime) will by covered by Tassort (Brazen Beau) at Newgate Farm next month. His first crop includes last season’s G1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Manaal and last Saturday’s G2 ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) winner Ameena.
Ridgeport Farm stands Rommel (Commands) for $6,600 alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).
