Avenius Could Emerge As Spring Contender
- Saturday, 22 May 2010 04:15
Cranbourne trainer Mark Webb is on the verge of mapping out a spring campaign for improving mare Avienus.
Ridden by Kane Bradley, the four-year-old underlined her will to win when she chased hard and was rewarded with her fourth victory in 14 starts in Saturday's appropriately-named The Chase Hotel Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield.
"She just knows how to find the line," Webb said.
"She is just a very good chaser whether it is in her work, trials or races.
"I was a bit concerned when she got a little squeeze coming into the straight but to her credit and Kane's credit he took the right path today."
Avienus railed though to score by short neck from Marchelle Belle and Belscenica and will step up to 2000 metres at her next start with a view to taking on Group-class mares in the spring.
"I have a couple of things in the back of my mind for her in the spring but I want to see how she goes at 2000 metres next start before we map that out," Webb said.
He said the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) during the Melbourne Cup carnival was an option for her.
Webb said a couple of setbacks this preparation had extended her campaign.
"I have always said 2000 metres-plus she is probably going to be a much better horse," Webb said.
"She is a smart enough mare and it might be worth having a crack at Group Two or Three mares' races with her."
Trainer Peter Moody is also planning a late spring for Paparazzi Dreamer who was an impressive debut winner of the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1100m).
The Exceed And Excel filly jumped straight to the front and was untroubled to score by 2-1/4 lengths from last-start Geelong winner Like A Guest and Metallic Grey who charged home from last.
Moody said Paparazzi Dreamer had been a slow-maturing filly, throwing more to her Zabeel dam Showzeel, and lacked the strength at this stage to train on to the Queensland carnival.
"She's a filly who could come back later in the spring," Moody said.
