Webb, Bradley & Avienus Strike Again
- Saturday, 22 May 2010 03:44
It’s hard to recall the last time Avienus ran a bad race, or if she ever has, and today she was rewarded for her consistency winning the $70,000 Chase Hotel Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield.
Avienus ($2.50,$3.30) was given the run of the race by Kane Bradley who positioned the mare on the rails behind the leader and travelled sweetly to the home turn.
With not a lot of moves the race looked to be in the lap of Marchelle Belle ($4.60,$5.50,$4.40) but the Freedman mare was only able to kick a half length clear, not enough to hold Avienus off the latter scoring by a short neck with almost a length to Belscenica ($11,$12) third.
It was the second Saturday win in less than a month for the Mark Webb, Kane Bradley and Avienus combination a team that have stayed strong throughout the preparation.
According to Webb the mare knows exactly what to do on race days and although he has Spring on his mind he wants to learn a bit more about the lightly races four-year-old first.
“She just knows how to win, she knows how to find the line and to her credit she chased very well today,” said Webb.
“This is the furthest she has ever gone but I have always thought she would be a much better horse at 2000m and beyond so we will step her up next time round”
“If she handles the rise in distance next time round we will be able to better plan a spring preparation for her,” he added.
Bradley was confident his regular mount would be too good but admitted he was fortunate to obtain such a good run turning for home.
“From the barrier draw today, and on her present form, she just had to win and she was too good in the end,” said Bradley.
“I was quite fortunate at the top of the straight as I got a nice split and she just finished too strong for them”
“She is as tough as they come,” Bradley added.
Pictures: Colin Bull
