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Fleetwood Maca will be vying for her coronation at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day when she contests the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m).
The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained filly will back-up after a bold runner-up performance in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at the Auckland track on Boxing Day.
TAB bookmakers have installed Fleetwood Maca as a $3.80 joint-favorite with Il Affare, and Gerard is hoping she can get the job done for her connections, which includes Valachi Downs General Manager Gareth Downey.
Later on the card, Gerard will line-up another exciting 3YO filly, Dragon Queen, in the Gr.2 SkyCity Auckland Guineas (1600m) and she believes she has the capability of being competitive on Friday, going off her work against stablemates Tokorangi and Fleetwood Maca.
Stablemate Za Za Gabor is on the cusp of making the Dunstan Feeds Stayer Championship Final (2400m) on Friday and Gerard believes the six-year-old mare will be a strong chance if she can gain a place in the field.
Gerard’s quintet of runners will be rounded out by Roch ‘N’ Horse, who has drawn the ace barrier in the Mainstream Plumbing & Gasfitting 1200.