3 minute read
Trainer Greg McFarlane thinks Abuela is a Saturday grade mare so he believes she will find herself very well placed in Saturday's Werri Beach Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m) at Kembla Grange.
Abuela ($2.50 favourite on TAB) is only lightly-raced for a four-year-old but has made a terrific start to her racing career with two wins and five placings from nine starts to date.
The daughter of Foxwedge has already chalked up a win and a second already this preparation and Greg McFarlane is convinced her best is still to come.
"She is Saturday grade," McFarlane said. "It just looks to be a nice race for her.
"She has always had ability and has always shown the class.
"To me, she is a Saturday horse that looks well placed in a race like this with the rail out nine metres so that is going to help her cause too."
After winning first-up at Gosford, Abuela was only gunned late by the classy Moonlight Grace when leading the field up in a Midway race at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting.
She will give rivals something to catch again from barrier one with Ashley Morgan aboard while stablemate Rahni Factor ($16) will jump from out to her outside.
McFarlane is hopeful Rahni Factor, a winner of three of her 24 starts, will be back to her best after missing the placings in all four runs this preparation.
A daughter of The Factor, she put in an improved showing last start with a sixth in a Benchmark 64 Handicap at Gosford last start.
"Her first run this preparation was probably a bit overzealous and it took it out of her so we are just trying to get her back on track," McFarlane said.
"She seems to be getting back on track again now. She tends to like a bit of sting out of the ground and is in her element when they are softer rather than firmer.
"I expect her to be thereabouts (in the run)."
Abuela is a $2.50 favourite while Rahni Factor is a $16 contender with the latter to be ridden by Jess Taylor.
The Robert and Luke Price-trained Mr Rock It ($4.20) is the best of the local chances in his first run back from a spell while Tinka's Lad ($7.50) and Deep Opinions ($89) are both given a hope.
The eight race card jumps from midday.
