Tajana is coming toward the sharp end of her season and co-trainer Shaune Ritchie is well-qualified to rate her chances of ending it on a high.

The top-rated filly will attempt to add further winning momentum to her Classic campaign when she steps out in Saturday’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2100m) at Te Rapa.

Ritchie has already won the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with Jennifer Eccles (2020), Artistic (2012) and Keep The Peace (2010) and will bid for his first in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored feature with current training partner Colm Murray.

Like Artistic, Tajana is a daughter of Darci Brahma, bred and raced by The Oaks Stud, and Ritchie believes she has all the attributes required to add to the stable’s record.

“Put it this way, she’s even more laid back and with a better temperament than the other three Oaks winners I’ve had,” he said.

“You can’t train that into them, they either have it or they don’t.”

Tajana came off a lengthy break to beat a small age-group line-up over 1600m at Pukekohe last time out and has since progressed faultlessly with George Rooke to again take the ride.

“She sprinted very quickly but the part we wanted to see was her relax and drop the bridle,” Ritchie said.

“She is in superb order for Saturday and has had a nice exhibition gallop,” Ritchie said.

-Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk