An invasion of New Zealand’s best race mares is about to hit Australia as Levante left herself with nothing left to prove here following an easy win in the $300,000 group 1 at Otaki on Saturday.
The wonderful Matamata mare was too quick and strong late for her hometown rival La Crique in the El Cheapo Cars Classic, both mares relishing the give of the ground to dominate the 1600m feature.
They had the tactical upper hand a long way from home - La Crique leading and Levante in the one-one and the latter swept up to challenge at the top of the home straight, looking set to run away.
La Crique fought hard, like a mare looking for more ground, but Levante’s easier run and perfect ride from Ryan Elliot gave her all the favours. Her win suggested she may be even more potent at 1600m now than the sprint trips that have given her three other group 1s.
Co-trainer Ken Kelso says he and the mare’s connections will get her home and study up the Australian race programmes before making any definite decisions but Levante is almost certain to head to Sydney.