Betty Spaghetti’s impressive run of form during her spring preparation has connections focusing on northern targets for the four-year-old.
The Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong-trained mare has been unbeaten in her last three appearances and will step out at Ashburton on Wednesday to warm up for sterner challenges.
Betty Spaghetti has been freshened since her last victory and Samantha Wynne will be reunited with the daughter of Stratum Star when she makes her open grade debut.
“She is a really handy mare and every question we’ve popped at her she has answered it,” Furlong said.
“She has been going so well and has had a freshen-up after Cup Week and the aim is to get her up to Wellington on January 13. She’ll run at Ashburton just to make sure everything is in order.”
The Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) is the first goal with others to follow, depending on her performance.
Connections will also consider a crack at the Remutaka Classic ($350,000, 2100m) the following Saturday at Trentham while another more lucrative option lies further afield.
“She’s got a nomination for the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic ($1 million, 1600m) at Ellerslie,” Furlong said.
“We’ll just see how she goes on the first day at Wellington, it’s a bit wait and see at the moment as to how far we go.”
Betty Spaghetti broke her maiden last season and then performed well in stronger company, finishing runner-up behind subsequent Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Romancing The Moon in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m).
She subsequently finished in behind the major players at Listed level in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) and the Warstep Stakes (2000m) to round off her three-year-old campaign.
“She is very consistent, tries hard and is very tough. She’s got the right attitude for it,” Furlong said.
The stable has also been pleased with the progress of Tommy Shelby ahead of the Tivaci gelding’s debut at Ashburton.
“He’s had a couple of trials and had a jump-out at Ashburton on the grass in preparation and we do like him. We’ll get a line on him on Wednesday,” Furlong said.
Barnmate Pierrogrine will step out and a line can be put through his most recent unplaced run at Riccarton where his chances were extinguished by a riderless horse.
“He was put out of contention so it didn’t really end on a good note, we’ve freshened him and it’s a starting pint for him,” Furlong said.
The stable’s representation will be completed by Mister Goldie, who also had little luck last time out, and Kudos De Sothys, who resumes off a break.