Endean Rose
Kenton Wright Race Images
Endean Rose is in good hands, in more ways than one, and the genuine mare is in the right order to give another bold account of herself when she makes her open class debut on Saturday.
The Savabeel mare is at the top of her game to make the step up in the J. Swap Te Aroha Cup for Rotorua-based trainer and part-owner Iain Kennedy.
Endean Rose won three races up to a mile before she was given her first opportunity over 2000 metres at Matamata and she impressed with a tidy finish to down her Rating 75 rivals.
"She's in fine form and we always knew she was more of a stayer, but it was a matter of getting the timing right to get her over more ground," said Kennedy, who combines a small team of horses with his full-time job as an osteopath.
"I've got a couple of others and I ride them in all their work and do everything with them with the help of my wife Linda."
Endean Rose, to be partnered again by Brendan Hutton, has required careful handling due to her lack of size.
"She's only a small mare so we have been patient with her and right from the start she's run her races out strongly," Kennedy said.
"She finished off really well to win over 2000 metres so I don't think the extra 200 metres will be too much of a bother to her."
Kennedy said he would be guided by Endean Rose's performance on Saturday as to her immediate future.
"She has been up a long time and I'm mindful of that. She's raced more times this season than last and I'll see how she pulls up after this race.
"We would like to get some black type with her and we'll wait and see whether we go on to the Travis Stakes or maybe the Rotorua Gold Cup." – NZ Racing Desk.
The Savabeel mare is at the top of her game to make the step up in the J. Swap Te Aroha Cup for Rotorua-based trainer and part-owner Iain Kennedy.
Endean Rose won three races up to a mile before she was given her first opportunity over 2000 metres at Matamata and she impressed with a tidy finish to down her Rating 75 rivals.
"She's in fine form and we always knew she was more of a stayer, but it was a matter of getting the timing right to get her over more ground," said Kennedy, who combines a small team of horses with his full-time job as an osteopath.
"I've got a couple of others and I ride them in all their work and do everything with them with the help of my wife Linda."
Endean Rose, to be partnered again by Brendan Hutton, has required careful handling due to her lack of size.
"She's only a small mare so we have been patient with her and right from the start she's run her races out strongly," Kennedy said.
"She finished off really well to win over 2000 metres so I don't think the extra 200 metres will be too much of a bother to her."
Kennedy said he would be guided by Endean Rose's performance on Saturday as to her immediate future.
"She has been up a long time and I'm mindful of that. She's raced more times this season than last and I'll see how she pulls up after this race.
"We would like to get some black type with her and we'll wait and see whether we go on to the Travis Stakes or maybe the Rotorua Gold Cup." – NZ Racing Desk.