There are no black marks against the name of exciting two-year-old prospect Bavella as she takes on stakes company for the first time in today's Listed Splice Construction Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe.
Karaka trainer Lance Noble has revealed long-term targets of the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni, both in March, for the impressive Ellerslie debut winner but would first love to tick off a spring feature win.
"Already we are thinking of the autumn and the Group One races for her but we've got to prove we are good enough," he said. "But she hasn't done anything wrong and we're happy to give her the chance."
Bred and raced by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Snitzel filly Bavella had two trials before racing for a win and a second placing before sitting outside the leader on debut at Ellerslie last month and going to the line eased down 1 -lengths clear of today's rival She's A Lady.
"It was a pretty good first start. She was very professional. She did it nicely and had a lot more left. It was a good strong win because she showed early speed and then was able to quicken in running. She's trained on well since," Noble said.