Pennyweka will cross the Tararua Ranges on Wednesday in the hope of snaring Group glory at Awapuni.
The Wairarapa filly has shown plenty of promise in her seven starts to date, including placing in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and runner-up in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last month.
The daughter of Satono Aladdin will be looking to go one better in the Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) this week and trainer Jim Wallace said all the signs are positive in the lead-up to the feature.
“I couldn’t be happier with her. She looks terrific and her work has been good. She is doing well, I just hope that she is good enough,” said Wallace, who also co-bred and part-owns the filly.
“She has had a bit of time between runs but there was just nothing suitable for her. She is a clean-winded filly and I have been happy with her, she hasn’t needed another run.”
The meeting has been transferred to Palmerston North following flood damage in Hawke’s Bay as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle and Wallace said the venue change isn’t an issue.
“We are on the outside bend at Awapuni so it is probably going to be okay for her, had it been on the inside bend that would have been something different,” he said.
“It is a good enough track and if your horse is good enough you will get the opportunity.”
Wallace also isn’t deterred by her outside draw of 10.
“She is probably going to get back a bit anyway so I don’t think it is going to worry her too much,” he said.
Wednesday will be Pennyweka’s first time racing over further than a mile and Wallace is looking forward to the step up in trip ahead of next month’s major target, the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
“The Oaks has been the end game all along, anything she has done along the way has been a bonus,” Wallace said.
“This is her first time over a bit of ground and I am looking forward to that.”
While the New Zealand Oaks has been Pennyweka’s main aim this season, a trip across the Tasman is in the offing if she performs up to expectations.
“She has got nominations in Sydney for both the Oaks and Derby, but that will probably come up a bit quick for her,” Wallace said.
“There are some nice races in Queensland and South Australia later on in the season, which we will give plenty of consideration.” – NZ Racing Desk
