Robbie Patterson is expecting dramatic improvement from his stable star Coventina Bay at Trentham on Saturday.
The Taranaki horseman is confident the seven-year-old will show her true form in the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) following an unplaced first-up effort in an open sprint at Te Rapa last month.
Patterson's optimism has been fuelled by Coventina Bay's progress since that outing and he believes the daughter of Shamexpress is primed for a bold showing.
“It just didn't pan out for her at Te Rapa and the next morning one of her eyes was closed over after she copped a clod,” he said.
“She's super now and had a jump-out at Stratford on Monday and went enormous, she's back to probably 98 percent of her full capacity.
“I think you'll see something special from her on Saturday, she's that well and pretty fit. She showed that explosive turn of foot in the jump-out and I am very confident that with some luck she will be right in it.”
Safely through the weekend, Patterson is likely to take a leaf out of fellow New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock's book.
“There's nothing for six weeks before the Thorndon Mile (Group 1, 1600m) and I might just freshen her up and run her first in the Telegraph (Group 1, 1200m),” he said.
“I was talking to Allan about it this morning because he did that with Kawi.”
Coventina Bay will then be ready for a step up in trip to defend her titles in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
She will be ridden by Craig Grylls, who is also booked to partner Time Test's son Times Up in The Pavemasters 3YO (1200m) following a smart debut success on his home track earlier this month.
“He's a very nice horse and I thought he would have been sold by now,” Patterson said.
“There has been interest in him, but he's a windsucker and that turns a few people away. It doesn't affect him at all, but when they're paying big dollars they want to buy the perfect horse.
“He's going in the right direction and Craig said he wouldn't have to improve at all to be competitive on Saturday.
“If he's not sold and he won, and won well, he'll progress on to the Wellington Guineas (Group 2, 1400m) on January 14.
“He's got a great attitude and loves his work. I can see him turning into a top horse wherever he ends up.”
Patterson will also be represented by Another Bella at Trentham in the Hedley Electrical (2200m) and Whaea Meri in the NZ Karaka 2023 Trainers' Series (1600m).
“Another Bella won well at Te Rapa the other day and she's improved since then and Whaea Meri is another one who I think will be competitive,” he said.
A daughter of Rip Van Winkle, Another Bella overcame a slow start to power home to a last-start victory and will again be ridden by Grylls, who will also be aboard Whaea Meri.
The daughter of Proisir has finished in behind the major players in both starts this preparation and the step up to 1600m looks ideal for her.
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