Supera primed for bold effort

WELLINGTON: Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso know what it takes to win the group 1 Windsor Park Plate over 1600m).

The duo prepared quality mare Xanadu to win the 2013 edition and this year’s race looks a bumper version. Seven of the 14 runners are already group 1 winners, including Melody Belle, who is looking to make it a hattrick of wins in the race.

The Kelsotrained Supera is yet to win at that level, but it looks only a matter of time before the Sir Peter Velaowned blueblood notches an elite level win, as a multiple group 2 winner and threetimes group 1 placed.

Connections are hoping that will be as soon as tomorrow, when Supera is rated a generous $11 chance with TAB bookmakers despite running a slashing second when resuming in the Tarzino Trophy over 1400m.

The Savabeel mare will again be ridden by Rosie Myers, who will have to navigate a path from barrier 11.

“We will talk tactics before the race with Rosie and go through where the speed will be coming from and where we should end up, in conjunction with Gary Cossey as well,” Ken Kelso said.

“It is a race with a lot of depth. I think it is one of the better group 1 fields we have seen in New Zealand for a while, but you couldn’t label any one horse; they all have a chance. It is a very strong field and draws and the run in the race is going to be very important.

“We have drawn out a little bit worse than we did the other day and it is a tricky barrier for that mile.

“Starting on the corner is not easy. We will set a plan and track something into the race. I think it is important to work out who you are going to follow into the race, something that is going to cart you into the race.”

A granddaughter of champion mare Ethereal, Supera is a headstrong mare with a few quirks but Kelso believes the galloper’s manners are on the improve.

“She will travel to Hawke’s Bay on the day of the races. We have always gone to Hastings the day of,” Kelso said.

“She is OK travelling, and she is fine at the races when hooked up in the stalls. It is just when you are in the bird cage and you have to get your rider on.

“Every other aspect of her is reasonably good; it is just getting the rider aboard she can put on a bit of an act.

“I think she is a little bit better this year, not greatly but a little bit better. To be fair we didn’t have any crowds at the last meeting with the Covid restrictions, so Saturday might be a little bit different.

“But I think there has been a general improvement in her temperament.”

Should Supera again perform well tomorrow, the quality 6yrold will also contest the group 1 Livamol over 2040m back at Hastings on October 17.

“The plan all along was to run in all three of them [legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown],” Kelso said. — NZ Racing Desk