Todd’s duo of mares getting set for new spring features
Matt Markham - Raceform • August 16th, 2025 10:00 AM • 3 min read
A new series specifically designed for the better pacing mares is right on the radar for two of Regan Todd’s stable stars, but first it’s off to the annual Kurow meeting at Oamaru on Sunday for the pair.
The new initiative, introduced by Harness Racing New Zealand, is a Mares’ Spring Schedule made up of six races, including three $60,000 events at black-type level, from the end of August through to Show Day at Addington.
Yaldhurst-based Todd has both Lakelsa and Treacherous Gall aimed toward the first race of the series on August 29 and is welcoming a more dedicated programme for the higher graded mares.
“It’s great to see them really putting an emphasis on them and creating a good pathway,” he told RaceForm.
In order to have both firing by the time the first race rolls around at the end of the month, Todd is using Sunday’s $20,000 Kurow Cup at Oamaru as the first stepping stone – with plenty of eyes set to lock on Lakelsa after two strong trials to prepare for her first run of the new campaign.
“I liked the progression from the first trial to the second, she’s come back up in fantastic order and is a bit more forward than I thought she’d be, despite the fact I think she’ll still improve a lot.”
A Group One winner back in February, Lakelsa really came into her own during her last campaign and announced herself as one of the better mares in the country alongside the likes of Duchess Megxit and Mantra Blue, both of whom are set to take part in the mares’ series.
“It won’t be easy for her first-up, especially with a good field, but if she can get away nicely and get into a nice spot, we know she’s got speed so she’ll be running home strongly at the finish.”
Like her stablemate, Treacherous Gall also impressed from trial to trial with a slashing last 200m last week at Rangiora to push Lakelsa close.
“It’s been good to have a nice slow build-up with her and she’s come on from her trials really nicely. Perhaps not quite as forward as Lakelsa, though. She’ll be driven for her speed this week and won’t be doing anywhere near as much work as the other one.
“The series is good for her because she’s quite high up in the ratings and it can be hard to place them sometimes, but we’ve got options and I’m looking forward to seeing how she comes up.”
Meanwhile, there’s a bit of excitement around the Todd barn at the moment with boom pacer Marketplace closing in on a public trial within the next month or so.
“He’s taking each step really nicely and we’ll take him into Addington for a bit of a hitout with a galloping pacemaker next week, then he’s likely to trial two or three weeks after that. I think the break has done him good.”
Todd is set to unleash a new wave of horses publicly soon too as he ramps up his presence on the track ahead of spring racing arriving next month.
