Eleonora likely to keep Champagne flowing

The team behind recent Group I stars Lucia Valentina and Sofia Rosa at The Championships in Sydney sits poised ready to strike again.

Bruce Perry, the Wairarapa bloodstock consultant entrusted to find race track royalty for Lib Petagna, has sourced another potential black-type performer.

If Eleonora can step up in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie tomorrow she will continue a wonderful string of success that has had the corks popping for Perry and Petagna.

Perry, who manages Petagna’s thoroughbred portfolio, became involved with the Wellingtonbased businessman after meeting him during the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton in 2004.

Since then he has made the stunningly astute purchases of Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa for $65,000 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina for $60,000 on Petagna’s behalf and they completed a massive day with their dual Group I success on the last day of The Championships.

Eleonora cost $60,000 at the 2015 Karaka Yearling Sales and Petagna shares the ownership with Dame Lowell Goddard.

‘‘She (Eleonora) might not be as fast as them [Sofia Rosa and Lucia Valentina] but Murray and Andrew [ Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman] have a high opinion of her,’’ Perry said.

When Perry spotted Eleonora as a yearling in the Pencarrow Stud draft ‘‘she ticked all the boxes’’.

‘‘I just liked her,’’ Perry said. ‘‘She fitted the criteria for us and was the type of filly we wanted. ‘‘We don’t really expect her to win but she tries hard and the extra distance will suit her.’’