Peter Rubery (Race Images)
A comprehensive victory at Hawera on the weekend could see promising mare Hello M’Lady tackle Listed company at Rotorua this coming weekend as her next assignment.
The Matamata trained mare thrived on the step up to 1600 metres of Saturday’s rating 75 contest as she bolted clear in the home straight to down a handy field by a comfortable four length margin.
Stakes placed on two occasions during her three-year-old campaign, the Vicki Prendergast co-owned and trained galloper looks to have furnished into the type of galloper capable of competing at the highest level over the summer months.
With Prendergast unable to make the trip to Hawera due to commitments at the Equidays Expo in Hamilton, Hello M’Lady was placed in the care of fellow Matamata trainer Karyn McQuade and her husband Hamish who weren’t surprised with the ease of her victory.
“We’ve always rated her,” noted Hamish McQuade after the race.
“Vicki was a little apprehensive about pushing her to the mile today but I had watched her race at Counties last time and said to her I thought she was looking for a mile.
“She was probably a little too weak for the mile when she was a three-year-old but she was definitely ready today.”
Rider Cameron Lammas was full of praise for his mount’s effort after being forced to race wide for much of the contest.
“We jumped from an awkward draw and were three wide for a fair while but I was happy out there as we had good cover,” he said.
“Her work on Tuesday was enormous and her last two runs have just been at distances a little too short for her.
“I said to Vicki that she was looking for a mile now and she did the job well.”
A decision will be made on where the daughter of Rich Hill Stud based stallion Shocking would head next with McQuade hinting strongly a tilt at the Listed Sweynesse Stakes (1950m) at Rotorua this Saturday was the preferred option. – NZ Racing Desk