Entriviere has staked her claim for selection in the A$2 million The Invitation (1400m) with a strong return in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
It was a belated spring kick-off for the Jamie Richards-trained mare, who was scratched from the Gr.3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) last month due to a foot abscess.
Entriviere ($2.60 fav) showed no signs of that issue on Saturday, unleashing down the outside to defeat Fituese ($6.50) by 1-1/4 lengths with Marboosha ($10) another three-quarters of a length away third.
The Kiwi raider has now won six of her eight starts and Richards says she is a pleasure to train.
“It was great to see her win so well first up. We didn’t have a lot of luck leading into the Toy Show and had to scratch, but she trialled well since and Dad (Paul Richards) has been very happy with her and James McDonald has been happy with her the whole way through,” Richards said.
“She is the ultimate professional. She has natural gate speed if we need it or she can take a sit.
“They went hard and she was able to get to the outside and finish off very strongly, which sets her up nicely for 1400m.”
Entriviere is likely to go to the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m) in two weeks but her main mission is The Invitation, a set weights and penalties race for fillies and mares on October 23 at Randwick.
“We will look to go a month between runs from the Golden Pendant into The Invitation with a little quiet trial somewhere in between,” Richards said.
“If any rain was to arrive, that is only another plus in her corner as she does like to get her toe in.
“We don’t have to worry about track conditions with her as she can go on anything.”
Winning jockey James McDonald believes Entriviere is open to further improvement and agrees she will appreciate a rain-affected track.
“She’s a lovely mare. She has an impeccable record. She’s had a couple of blemishes but apart from that her determination is just incredible. I think there is more to come from her,” he said.
“She will run a strong seven (furlongs) that is for sure. She is going to have to because from here on she has good competition.
“I think she is just crying out for a bit of rain or a bit of give in the ground. The track is racing pretty firm and you wouldn’t want to see her too many times on firm ground.”
Bred by Central Districts training doyenne Kevin Gray and his wife Kathleen, Entriviere is by Tavistock out of the three-win Golan mare Marcey’s Belt, and hails from an extended family that includes multiple group One winner Maldivian.
The patiently handled five-year-old has now won $289,938 in prizemoney.
Sharing in the Te Akau Buckle Up Racing Partnership, which race Entriviere, are Richards grandparents Gary and Lorraine McDonnell.
“She was sold privately and there are some good stable clients including my Grandparents who are down in Alexandra having a few gins this afternoon watching her win,” Richards said.
“It is pretty exciting and a big thank you to Dad as well, who has made a big sacrifice going over there to Sydney to lockdown and not knowing when he is going to get home. It is a pretty special day.”