Group Two winner Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) is nearing a return to racing.
The five-year-old mare rounded out her last preparation with a win in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and took the next step towards resuming on raceday with an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata on Saturday.
Co-trainer Ken Kelso is pleased with how the Sir Peter Vela-owned mare has come back both physically and mentally.
“She has come back well, she is a lot stronger and is working well,” Kelso said.
“She has definitely strengthened up and her attitude has changed too. She was always highly strung and very difficult at times but she seems to be a lot better this year.”
Kelso, who trains in partnership with wife Bev, is aiming to resume Supera at Ellerslie next month before pursuing a bigger prize.
“She will kick off in Auckland in about three weeks’ time in an open 1400m,” he said.
“She will get a bit of weight because she is rated 100 but we are keen to kick her off there and give her a look around Ellerslie because she has never been there before.”
“She will kick off there and go to Tauranga for a Group Two race over a mile and then the Captain Cook (Gr.1, 1600m) will be her first major assignment and we will try and get a Group One.”
“Long-term there is the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) and races like that.”
