Talented filly Impendabelle is set for her three-year-old debut at Hastings this Saturday after a flawless preparation.
Trainer Tony Pike will lead a significant team of runners, with Impendabelle contesting the Group Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) following two promising lead-up trials.
Additionally, Pike will have two contenders, Overdrawn and Full Moon Fever, in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), another feature race for their age group.
Impendabelle, who won two out of four races last season, including the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m), is in excellent form leading into her return to racing.
Pike shared, “She has trialled up nicely in hot heats against the Group One sprinters, and I was happy enough with both of them.
“Her work during the week has been pleasing, and she's had a nice, long and slow build-up so she's definitely forward enough to run a bold race.”
Pike also highlighted the favorable conditions for Impendabelle, emphasizing the importance of a decent racing surface at Hastings and a handy barrier draw (six).
He said, “She maps to land just in behind the speed somewhere and, barring bad luck, should get her chance.”
Looking ahead, Pike mentioned potential plans, saying, “There are a few choices after this; we'll get through Saturday and see how she pulls up and then hopefully map out a plan to Riccarton for the 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m).”
While Overdrawn and Full Moon Fever have yet to secure their maiden victories, they bring strong placed form to their respective races.
Pike commented on their prospects, saying, “It's probably interesting running maidens in it, and the top two are obviously class three-year-olds, but it looked like it may lack a bit of depth and our two are progressive types.”
He also expressed confidence in their abilities, particularly Overdrawn's potential to compete with more experienced rivals.
Full Moon Fever, who has consistently finished in the money in all three of his starts, showed promise even after a challenging resumption race at Matamata.
Pike said, “He had a tough trip and kept on closing, and if they go quickly he should be hitting the line hard with that run under his belt.”
Pike will have a total of nine runners on the opening day of the Hawke's Bay carnival, and favourable weather conditions have eased his preparations.
He noted, “The spring has been a bit kinder to us this year than last, and they are all going in there reasonably forward in condition and have trialled nicely. They are good, competitive fields, and it will be hard to win a race, but we are expecting them all to run well.”