Pacy Kiwi filly chasing early Group honours

Speed merchant Summer Schemer will tackle the first leg of a black-type double when she kicks off her three-year-old season at Ruakaka on Saturday.

The Group 3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) candidate has been based in the north for her lead-up, as has maiden hope Russian Prime, who is a potential Classic contender.

Meanwhile, stablemate Dubawi Diva’s performance in Sunday’s Listed Chittick Family Fillies’ Classic (1200m) at Taupo will dictate which spring path she will follow.

“Summer Schemer’s very thick winded and had a hell of a blow after trialling so I would expect her to be a bit vulnerable if she’s softened up,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray.

“She will be better for it and be in peak order for the Sunline Vase (Gr.3, 1200m), which is three weeks away back at Ellerslie, where she won her debut.

“Whether Dubawi Diva’s up to the class, we’ve got to find out and they couldn’t have compiled a better field. She’ll certainly be right on the pace, and we’ll find out if she’s up to the other fillies.”

Summer Schemer has showed an abundance of gate speed to lead in all three of her appearances and has the draw to continue that trend.

“Barrier (two) is going to help her, we’re obviously up at Ruakaka for the week with a small team like we do every year for this meeting, and the rail will come back from three metres to the true position,” Ritchie said.

“You would think, certainly earlier in the day, it will create a fast lane and she’s an on-pace runner with gate speed.”