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Talented filly No Rain Ever has yet to fully convince connections that she can be effective over more ground, and she will have the opportunity to bury any doubts on that score at Riccarton.
The Waverley-trained three-year-old will tackle Saturday's Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) off the back of an encouraging last-start effort against the older horses at Trentham.
The daughter of No Nay Never and Group Two winner and multiple Group One placegetter November Rain is prepared by Bill Thurlow, who will also have a leading stakes contender at Otaki where Whangaehu will step out in the Listed Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m).
No Rain Ever has won twice at 1200m and showed her black-type quality earlier this year when third in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) and finished fourth in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham at her most recent outing.
"She went down on Monday and is all good. We're really happy with her and there's no reason why she won't run very well, she was working well and left here in great order," Thurlow said.
No Rain Ever headed south off the back of her fourth placing in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
"She was good in the Cuddle and is a handy filly so we're hoping she will run well again," Thurlow said.
"There is a slight question mark at the moment for me over the mile, but we'll see how she goes back against her own age group."
A strong showing would likely see No Rain Ever step up again in the Listed NZ Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) seven days later.
"If she went well enough, she would probably stay down there but we're obviously not 100 percent certain she is a 2000m horse either," he said.
Thurlow has booked Kylie Williams for the ride on Saturday while Lisa Allpress will continue her association at Otaki with Whangaehu.
The son of Proisir put together consecutive middle-distance wins at Hastings and Tauherenikau before he finished seventh, beaten 4.3l, in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m).
"He went really well, but he just tugged a bit for some reason which he doesn't normally do," Thurlow said.
"He got a bit on the chewie and that was his undoing. If he hadn't of done that, he might have finished closer."
Whangaehu hasn't missed a beat since Ellerslie and is expected to be competitive in an ideal assignment.
"He came through it well and has been working well so no issues there at all and it seems a nice race for him," Thurlow said.
No plans have been made for Whangaehu beyond this weekend, Thurlow preferring a wait and see approach.
"I haven't made any decisions yet, it could be his last run this campaign as he's done a pretty good job," he said.
"He's in a nice position to maybe run in some nice handicaps in the spring and he's not far away from a spell."
