By John Schell
Jockey Pierre Boudvillain looks set for a big day at Wagga on Sunday, beginning with the Matthew Dale-prepared Al Flores in the JJ’s Waste & Recycling Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1200m).
Al Flores is a daughter of Group 1 winners Exceed Ad Excel and Dixie Blossoms that was formerly trained by Ron Quinton. She ran second at Goulburn as a heavily backed favourite when resuming from a spell.
Trainer Matthew Dale.Credit: Getty Images
TAB Fixed Odds had Al Flores installed as an early favourite in her bid to record her first win at start 11.
“It looks a nice race for her,” said Dale.
“She raced well at Goulburn when she was having her first start for me. She loomed as the winner only to be run down over the latter stages.”
Al Flores had three thirds, all at Hawkesbury, when in the care of Quinton at Randwick.
“She’s a mare that has always shown her share of potential,” Dale said.
“There’s no reason she can’t break through on Sunday with a win.”
Boudvillain will link with trainer Michael Travers when partnering Stormy Malice in the WDF Accounting & Advisory Super Maiden Handicap (1400m), while he is on Astern Touch for Gary Colvin in the Ridley Wool Co Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600m).
Stormy Malice finished second in each of her latest two starts, while Astern Touch is a last-start winner at Wagga with Boudvillain in the saddle when racing on the speed and fighting on well.
Boudvillain is on Due Calzini for Danielle Seib in the ICG Construction Benchmark 66 – Heat Of The Wagga Stayers Series (2000m), as well as Scoffa in the Riverina Crane Services Wagga Winter Sprint Benchmark 82 Handicap (1000m).
Due Calzini was midfield at Randwick when last produced. That followed another midfield effort in Highway grade at Scone during the Cup carnival at that track. He ran second before both of those runs in good grade at Wagga on cup day at that track.
Scoffa lines up having been disappointing in recent starts but is capable of improving if anywhere near his best form.
