Classy New Zealand mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) will be out to secure a spot in the A$2 million The Invitation (1400m) when she contests the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Jamie Richards-trained mare made a pleasing start to her spring preparation when winning the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) earlier in the month and will be met by a similar field this weekend.
“She’s a quality mare and seems to have bounced out of that first-up run in good shape,” Richards said.
“She’s drawn the outside barrier, which is frustrating, she’s just going to need a little bit of luck from there but hopefully we can slot in with a bit of cover and I don’t think she’ll mind the step up to 1400.”
A daughter of Tavistock, Entriviere has been patiently managed by Te Akau Racing and didn’t make her debut until she was four.
She has rewarded connections by winning six of her eight starts, including three stakes races.
Richards is content to continue in a similar vein and won’t be tempted to throw the mare in the deep end this spring.
“She was just an immature horse (early), which is probably quite typical of the Tavistocks,” Richards said.
“She had to have a little chip removed out of a fetlock but other than that she just needed a bit of time.
“I think The Invitation is a really nice race for her. We’ll probably just try to stick to our own sex at this stage.”
