LE VILLI TRANSFERS HANDS AHEAD OF OAKS

Promising filly Le Villi (NZ) (Puccini) will carry new colours when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Australian Bloodstock purchased the daughter of Puccini following her fifth placed run in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie last start and they could receive an immediate return if she performs well this weekend.

Trainer John Wheeler was pleased with her run at Ellerslie last start and he believes the 2400m won’t be an issue for her.

“I was very happy with her,” he said. “She took a couple of days to get over it but once she did, she has carried on like she did before. She is well ahead of Saturday.

“I have got no doubt about her getting the distance, which is a big plus, because a lot of them will struggle to get the distance.

“She is pretty fit, so I am pretty happy with her.”

While Wheeler is only promised the one further run with the filly, she could remain in his care for a tilt at the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick if she were to perform well this weekend.

“At this stage she is in my care until after the Oaks, but they did say they would leave her to me to take her to the AJC Oaks if she went well enough. But they own the horse, so they are the ones that make the decisions,” Wheeler said.