Racing: Options aplenty for quality mare

Empress Elect, Consensus, Vavsour and Candle in the Wind. Photo / Greg Bowker

Vavasour's return to winning form has presented her connections with an array of longer-term options now she is a candidate for international travel.

The four-year-old took advantage of a return to handicap racing to strike in the group three Chep Pallecon Solutions Counties Cup at Avondale on yesterday.

"We have tossed up about going to Australia in the past, but she wasn't quite mature enough," said Peter Williams, who prepares the mare with his wife Dawn and Paul Richards.

"She'll probably run in the Waikato Gold Cup and then a decision will be made whether she goes to Sydney or Melbourne or if we press on toward the Auckland Cup."

The winner of the group two Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic last season, Vavasour had finished in the money in each of her four runs this preparation including a fourth placing, relegated from second, in the group three Sofitel Luxury Hotel Stakes at Ellerslie.

Vavasour didn't enjoy the best of runs at Avondale, but she still proved superior to a good field of stayers.

"It wasn't that strong a pace and I ended up getting posted a bit wide and to her credit she fought really well," rider Danielle Johnson said.

The well-supported Farm Boy had looked likely to prevail when he was still in front 200 metres from home after leading before the turn, but he was unable to keep Vavasour's late challenge at bay.

The topweight Authentic Paddy stuck on grimly for third ahead of Consensus, who followed the winner in the running, and Salford Art, who has been served by Ocean Park, was a sound fifth.

- NZ Racing Desk.