David Aiken is confident with Spidergirl in the NSW Trotters Oaks on Saturday night
Victorian trainer David Aiken is confident his filly Spidergirl can run a big race in the New South Wales Trotters Oaks at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night despite lining up against the best New Zealand three year old filly Habibti. Spidergirl has been the benchmark for her age and sex this season in Australia, remaining undefeated after six runs this year but Aiken acknowledges this is her biggest test.
“Habibti is a very nice filly and she has proven that in New Zealand beating Blitzthemcalder but I’m very happy with Spidergirl and she was very impressive at Shepparton last start breaking two minutes for the 2190 metres,” Aiken said.
“I don’t think the Oaks is a two horse race by any means, I have a lot of respect for Chris Lang’s filly Maori Time and I wouldn’t be bringing my other two fillies to the race if I didn’t think they would be competitive.”
Leading Victorian reinsman Chris Alford has driven Spidergirl in eight of her nine career victories and has the experience of driving against Habibti in New Zealand.
“Habibti went super in both Derbies in New Zealand and there wasn’t much between her and Blitzthemcalder in New Zealand but in saying that I don’t think there is very much between Spidergirl and Blitzthemcalder so I think it will be a great race this weekend,” Alford said.
“Spidergirl just jogged around at Shepparton and she was very impressive on the clock. She’s drawn barrier one on Saturday, she doesn’t have to lead but she’ll have to come out at the start for a little way so she doesn’t get crossed and shuffled too far back.”
Aiken is eyeing off the NSW Trotters Derby too, but a start against the ‘boys’ will depend on how she races in the Oaks.
“The plan is for her to race in the Derby as well, especially with Blitzthemcalder in New Zealand for the Jewels but that all depends on what happens on Saturday night. If my other two fillies Dizzyinterest and Vics Cheval perform as well as I think they will then there is a chance they may stay for the Derby as well.”
