Soriano (NZ) earned a start in this Saturday’s G1 Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings after a burying a competitive field of fillies and mares at New Plymouth on September 28.

Connections expect the daughter of Waikato Stud’s champion sire Savabeel to be very competitive despite the quick back-up and steep rise in class.  “We have had our sights set on the Spring Classic for some time,” trainer Graeme Rogerson said.  “If she can reproduce what she showed as a three-year-old I think she will run a very good race.

“She showed us she could handle the quick back-up during her three-year-old career and while, it’s not the ideal situation, it’s the hand we have been dealt after her race at the last Hawkes Bay meeting was called off,” Rogerson.  “It was a little disappointing that day as she had the saddle on and was ready to go when the decision came through and although I thought she would just win, it wasn’t to be.”

Soriano (4m Savabeel – Call Me Lily by Just A Dancer) won the G3 Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni last December and was also placed in the G1 Levin Classic, G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and G2 Eight Carat Stakes.

Bred and owned by long-time stable client and staff member Denise Howell, Soriano may head across the Tasman later in the spring to tackle the G1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).  Howell won the 2001 Mackinnon as part owner of the Rogerson trained La Bella Dama (Desert Sun).

Soriano has the pedigree to star over longer distances.  Her dam Call Me Lily (NZ) is by NZ bred 3200 metre winner Just A Dancer (Star Way).