Pedrena, Mertens continue on winning way

The decision to drop Pedrena back to 1400m at Flemington has proven a winning move with the filly racing to the third win of her campaign.

Pedrena ($3.50) held off $2.80 favourite Samovare in Saturday’s Trevor Clarke Handicap at Flemington in her fifth start of the preparation.

And trainer Mick Price expects the filly has likely now done enough for this campaign.

The three-year-old began her preparation with a win at Pakenham in April and has added city wins at Caulfield and Flemington along with two runner-up finishes at Sandown.

With premiership-leading rider Beau Mertens aboard, Pedrena settled just behind the leader of the fence and took an inside run early in the straight before hitting the front at the 300m.

Group-winning former Perth filly Samovare was making her debut for the Lindsay Park stable and was gradually closing on Pedrena in the final 100m under 60kg.

But Pedrena had a neck to spare with another 1-1/4 lengths to Alma’s Rossa third.

Price thinks Pedrena is still immature and will be even better as a four-year-old mare.

“I’m looking forward to her growing up and developing a bit,” he said.

Mertens made it two wins from as many rides on Pedrena having won aboard the filly at Caulfield two starts ago.

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