Lady Shabeel
Trish Dunell
Iain Kennedy is hoping Lady Shabeel will emerge as a genuine classic contender after her trip south this weekend.
The Rotorua trainer heads to New Plymouth for Saturday's Listed Bob Sharrock Memorial Oaks Prelude and a solid performance will see the filly remain on target for a start in the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks.
"That's the plan and it would be lovely if she could win and then go straight to the Oaks, otherwise we might have to give her another run over 2100 metres at Ellerslie," Kennedy said.
A winner three runs back, Lady Shabeel has had a forced break since she last raced in December.
"She's a nice filly, but she was a bit shin sore after Rotorua so she had a bit of a break," Kennedy said.
"She's come up very well and I think she will cope with the extra distance, she's got the breeding and she runs more like a stayer than a sprinter."
Kennedy will also be represented at Wanganui on Friday by the promising mare Awakening in the Loaders Landscaping Supplies Maiden.
She brings strong form lines to the 1200 metre race having placed behind subsequent winners Ja Ja Binks and Dangerous Pony at her last two starts.
"She's a lovely horse and I think a fair bit of her," Kennedy said. "She'll have the blinkers on and hopefully that will sharpen her up and get her over the line." – NZ Racing Desk.
The Rotorua trainer heads to New Plymouth for Saturday's Listed Bob Sharrock Memorial Oaks Prelude and a solid performance will see the filly remain on target for a start in the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks.
"That's the plan and it would be lovely if she could win and then go straight to the Oaks, otherwise we might have to give her another run over 2100 metres at Ellerslie," Kennedy said.
A winner three runs back, Lady Shabeel has had a forced break since she last raced in December.
"She's a nice filly, but she was a bit shin sore after Rotorua so she had a bit of a break," Kennedy said.
"She's come up very well and I think she will cope with the extra distance, she's got the breeding and she runs more like a stayer than a sprinter."
Kennedy will also be represented at Wanganui on Friday by the promising mare Awakening in the Loaders Landscaping Supplies Maiden.
She brings strong form lines to the 1200 metre race having placed behind subsequent winners Ja Ja Binks and Dangerous Pony at her last two starts.
"She's a lovely horse and I think a fair bit of her," Kennedy said. "She'll have the blinkers on and hopefully that will sharpen her up and get her over the line." – NZ Racing Desk.