Every question asked of Dame Margot (NZ) has been answered positively and that’s earned her a shot at some of the best mares in the nation.

The Foxton five-year-old will travel outside the Central Districts for the first time when she runs in the G2 Auckland Breeders’ Stakes at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.

“She’s gone ahead in leaps and bounds and she had to win really well last time out to justify it and that’s exactly what she did,” trainer Sandie Cookson said.  “In the early stages she was pretty boisterous – she wasn’t hard to handle or ride, she just wanted to do everything 100 miles an hour, but she’s settled with maturity.”

Dame Margot (5m Dance Floor – Betty Lamour by Bahhare) posted the fourth victory of her 12-start career last time out when she finished off powerfully at Hastings.  She has been ridden in all of her wins by Johnathon Parkes and he will continue his association with the mare in the Counties feature.

“He’s been on her just about all the way through,” Cookson said . “He’s got a real affinity with her and he’s riding like a demon.  Johnathon works really hard and deserves all the success.”

Cookson is confident Dame Margot is a Group quality mare and options after Saturday include the G1 Captain Cook Stakes on December 7, or more likely the G2 Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa a week later.

Cookson went close in the 2008 Captain Cook when her G3 winner O’Ceirins Angel (Al Akbar) finished second in the Trentham feature.  She also prepared Mr O’Ceirin (Postponed) to win two races before his sale to Australia where he won the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield.