Underrated galloper Lady Telena extended her impressive recent form by securing a convincing victory at Riccarton on Saturday.
Trainer Kenny Moore expressed his surprise at the ease of her three-length win, saying, “I expected a good run and was hopeful, but I didn’t expect her to win like that. She is a good mare with a powerful finish, and that was just awesome.”
While this race was designed to assess potential contenders for the Group 3 New Zealand Cup, Moore revealed that Lady Telena’s focus would shift to a different challenge during the Riccarton Spring Carnival.
“The whole aim has been to get her ready for the Group Three race on the middle day at Riccarton (Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes, 1400m). She will probably have one more run now and go out for a break then come back fresh for that one.”
Jockey Akshay Balloo was impressed by how Lady Telena rose to the occasion in tougher company, noting her improvement with each outing.
“She seems to be improving after each run and stepped up in a stronger field today. Seriously had scooted away on us, but she found her gears, and the further she went, the better she got,” said Balloo.
Lady Telena, bred by Kevin Hickman, is the offspring of the Street Cry mare Langara and has now amassed five victories in her 40 starts for Moore and her connections.
She began her career in the North Island under the Stephen Autridge stable. Her pedigree includes notable European performers, such as the former champion Italian two-year-old and the champion United Arab Emirates four-year-old miler, Lend A Hand.
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