Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) shed her novice tag last time out and she could give the colts and geldings a shake in Friday’s G3 Lucia Valentina Wellington S. at Otaki.

The talented filly was successful third up this preparation on the course and the way she hit the line at the end of 1400 metres strongly suggests the mile will be even more to her liking.

Sentimental Miss had two runs last season and following a debut second she finished a sound fourth in the Listed Castletown S.

She is prepared by Lisa Latta, successful in this race two years ago with Lincoln Blue (NZ) (Savabeel), who has a good opinion of Sentimental Miss and said she had progressed well since her last outing. A rain-affected track would pose no problem either.

Group 1 pedigree

She was a NZ$40,000 purchase from Karaka by long-time stable supporters Go Racing and is out of Nostalgic (Quest For Fame {GB}), who is a sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Dracula. It is also the family of the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Complacent (Authorized {IRE}).

Last-start maiden winners Sacred Judgement (So You Think {NZ}), Sahar (Iffraaj {GB}) and Yossarian (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) are a promising trio and well capable of continuing the encouraging starts they have made to their careers.

Tony Pike’s Sacred Judgment broke through in fine style at Ellerslie at his second appearance and is out of a grand-daughter of the G1 Australian Oaks winner Savana City (New Regent {CZN}).

Sahar, from Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s powerful yard, has a strong pedigree to back his claims as a half-brother to the Group 2 winners Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Catalonia (Commands).

Tidy maiden winner

A half-brother to the G1 Railway S. winner Fleur De Lune (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), Yossarian won his maiden at Hawke’s Bay with a minimum of fuss and that performance strongly suggested the step up to a mile will be firmly in his favour.

The supporting feature on the Otaki card is the Listed Fasttrack Insurance Levin S. in which Sacred Judgement’s stablemate Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) should prove hard to hold out.

Already a two-time black-type winner, she has a handy draw that will ideally suit her front-running style.

The tight Otaki course will be perfect for her style of racing and Leith Innes, who won on the mare last time out, will again take the reins.

Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) is a versatile customer who has been freshened by co-breeder, part-owner and trainer Sylvia Kay since his runner-up finish in the G3 Thompson H.

He is genuine, as his record of eight wins and five placings from 17 appearances shows.