New Zealand star La Dorada will make her Australian debut in Saturday’s Moir Stakes (1000m), aiming to join She Will Reign and Coolangatta as three-year-old filly winners of the race.
A Group 1 winner at two, La Dorada has three wins from four starts in New Zealand, including the Karaka Millions and Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). While untested below 1100m, assistant trainer Ben Gleeson is confident she has the speed to handle 1000m first-up.
“We could have run her in the Atlantic Jewel, but she would have had 59-½ kilos which is tough for any filly,” Gleeson said. “She is quite small in stature… we thought we would have a crack at the Group 1.”
Prepared at Cranbourne with two jump outs, La Dorada has impressed track rider Laura Winks, who compared her favourably to Imperatriz and Bellatrix Star.
Future options include the Manikato Stakes (1200m), the Scarborough Stakes (1200m), and the Thousand Guineas (1600m). Apprentice Luke Cartwright takes the ride at The Valley.