Racing: Well bred mare seeks boost to confidence

Beautifully-bred mare Calpe heads to Dubbo today looking for a much-needed confidence boost.

The 4-year-old will have her first start for three-time premier country trainer Brett Cavanough in the Dubbo RSL Club Family Bistro Maiden (1100m).

Formerly with Clarry Conners at Warwick Farm, Calpe, a daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar out of smart mare Unison, had eight starts for Conners, managing two placings.

Owned by Richard Pegum, Calpe has been in Cavanough's Albury stable for three months.

"A well-bred mare that has had a few problems but the aim is to try and win a maiden to get her confidence levels up," Cavanough said.

"She's a really good type - low-set and strong.

"We're hoping if she can win a maiden she can go bang, bang and win a couple more races."

"We've been working on the problems, injuries. She's going to the races 100 per cent right physically," he said. "I'm happy with where she's at."

Calpe has run some useful races in Sydney and the provincial areas in far better class than she meets on Wednesday.

"We've been trying to teach her to travel better, working with a mate and getting her to settle and hit the line strongly, not come off the bridle when asked to let down," Cavanough said. "The mare has pleased me. She's no superstar but if she gets some confidence it may well be a far different story." Calpe hasn't raced since her 2-length fifth to She's Choice over 1300m at Wyong on November 25.

Further south, barriers aside, 3-year-old Eleecopter is set to make a flying return at Goulburn today.

The Kerry Parker-trained daughter of Spinning World, off the scene for 17 weeks, resumes in the Multiquip Hcp (1000m) with Jeff Penza in the saddle.

"Obviously, she's going to need some luck from the wide barrier [14], but, that aside, I'm very happy with her," the Kembla Grange-based trainer said. "She's done enough to race very well."

Eleecopter was a A$14,000 Classic yearling purchase.

The filly showed ability in her first campaign, winning first-up over 1200m at Queanbeyan on November 8 then running a 1-length fifth to Midnight Hustler over 1300m at Goulburn on November 21 before her 1-length second to Acouplamas over 1400m at Kembla on December 4.

"She did a terrific job first preparation," Parker said yesterday. "Since coming back into work she's stronger and so a bit wiser."

- AAP