Quality Southland mare Shezacullengirl has been floated to Auckland in preparation for a couple of big assignments during the next fortnight.
The Christian Cullen four year old mare left for Auckland last Wednesday and will be stabled at Brent Mangos's Pukekohe stable.
"She does all her work on the beach and it's 20 minutes from Mango's place to the beach, so it's spot on," said trainer Paul Ellis.
Her targets are the Group Three Caduceus Club Northern Breeders on Friday, and the $100,000 Group One Rosslands Queen Of Hearts on the 15th December. Both are raced over 2200 metres from the mobile.
At her last start at Invercargill Shezacullengirl was impressive when she tenaciously held on to beat Franco Tai by half a length in a smart time of 2-41.2.
"Real good. She's got a bit of a ticker. Gav Smith (driver) was worried about Franco Tai on his back. He (Franco Tai) did bugger all work. We had a go at the other one (Delishka) and still held them off so she's gone bloody good."
Shezacullengirl was initially trained by Nathan Williamson who won two races with her in her three year old season. She was later transferred to Ellis's Oreti Beach barn where she's enjoyed the smaller stable and beach environment.
"She never sees a hopple. She canters and plays around then goes to the races and tries her guts out. Can't see that there's any point in changing anything."
Ellis acknowledges that the Auckland races will be a bit of a test but says his mare is in peak condition at the moment.
"Fitness isn't an issue. The trip up there won't worry her too much. The Auckland way round might be the only thing but the only way you're going to find out is to try. I'll run her that way round at Mango's on Monday and may take her into Alexandra Park for a bit of pace work on Wednesday."
Ellis will travel up to Auckland on Sunday to supervise the mare's preparation.
"We'll see what happens. We'll probably give her a spell after that. They're (owners) pretty keen to have a go at the Jewels at Cambridge. We just need to be earning money I suppose."
Shezacullengirl is currently fourteenth on the leader board for the Four Year Old Diamond.
The last time Ellis was in Auckland was with trotter Idle Bones which won three races there before she was sold to clients of Brent Mangos.
Bruce Stewart
Southland harness racing