Abbey Marie to chase Adelaide Group races
Abbey Marie will step straight to black-type company after her debut win against maiden opposition at Sandown.
The winner of The Cove Hotel Plate on Wednesday is a sister to 2011 ATC Australian Oaks winner Absolutely and trainer Mick Kent has no hesitation pushing ahead to bigger races with the filly.
“It’s her first race preparation but she’s had a few preparations and I’d like to go to Adelaide with her,” Kent said.
“She’s got a mile, a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) written all over her.”
Ridden by Craig Williams, Abbey Marie ($2.90 fav), scored a three-quarter length win over Montana ($3.10) with Sound The Trumpet ($15) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Kent said the filly was likely to take the traditional path to the Group One Australian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 7.
He said the Laelia Stakes (1600m) on April 9 and the Auraria Stakes (1800m) on April 23 would be Abbey Marie’s immediate targets.
“Even though she’s only had one start, she’s had three or four preps,” Kent said.
“She’s had the background miles, so it won’t worry her.”
Kent said Abbey Marie was a lot sharper than her elder sibling and had a bit more muscle on her.
Williams is confident the filly can progress to black type company after showing a good turn of foot.
“She’s got black type written all over her,” Williams said.
“Mick had done all the ground work with her at home was confident that she would have good acceleration when you asked her to go and she did.”
Williams completed a double aboard the Godolphin three-year-old Macarthur, winner of the Browns Sawdust & Shavings Handicap.
“He’s made improvement with every run this campaign and with that win under him hopefully it gives him some confidence to go on,” Williams said.
Williams had his day soured with an 11 meeting careless riding suspension from his ride on third placegetter Spiral in The Grand Hotel Frankston Plate.