Punters are hoping it will be third time lucky at group 1 level for classy mare Supera in today’s weight-for-age Captain Cook Stakes.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained 5yr-old has been rated a $2.20 favourite to crack her first top-level victory at Trentham.
Ken Kelso said this week he could not be happier with his mare following her last-start victory in the group 2 Tauranga Stakes on November 16. That was over 1600m, the same distance as the Captain Cook.
“It was a very good win last start and her work has been excellent since,” Kelso told NZ Racing Desk.
“She has improved and I am as happy as I can be heading into a group 1 race.”
The shape of the Wellington track should not bother Supera, but its condition is a slight concern to Kelso.
If Trentham was to stay at the good3 rating it was at yesterday, he would be happy.
“She has had a trip to Wellington previously and won over the course and distance. I think so long as it is no worse than a dead6, she should be fine. She does like the firmer surfaces and really bounces off it.”
Kelso said Supera could be head-strong, ‘‘but we just work around her”.
“We have an excellent girl that rides her in the mornings and we just work with the horse.
“If she was a maiden or a rating 65 horse, you wouldn’t put up with it, but she is a horse with terrific ability.”
Supera is a granddaughter of champion mare Ethereal and races in the same colours Ethereal carried in her Melbourne and Caulfield Cup wins.
Veteran miler Shadow’s Cast is the second favourite at $5.50.
