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Top mare Viadana will head to Australia next week after trialling to trainer Lance Noble’s satisfaction at Avondale on Tuesday.
The triple Group One winner finished runner-up in her 1200 metre heat to confirm plans for her to make her next appearance in the $A200,000 Gr.3 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 13.
“The track was a bit wetter than I would have liked, but she trialled well and I was happy with what I saw,” Noble said. “Craig Grylls rode her and he was happy too and she pulled up well afterwards.
“She ran second to Fast Dragon who led and she raced second and they stayed that way. They ran 1.15 so it was very, very heavy.
“She’s booked to fly to Melbourne next Wednesday and the Gr.1 Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day is the ultimate race for her - there’s a couple of options as a lead-up to that after her first run.”
Viadana was unplaced on a rain-affected track at Te Rapa when she resumed in last month’s Gr.3 Foxbridge Plate.
Stablemate Brave Centaur finished a bold fourth in that weight-for-age event and he too will be on the flight to Melbourne.
The O’Reilly gelding placed in his open trial at Avondale and is similarly looking for better ground.
“He finished third and was hard held,” Noble said. “He’ll be on the same plane and will run on the 13th as well in a Listed race over 1400 metres.”
Brave Centaur’s heat was won by Peter and Dawn Williams’ Delveen from Fast Dragon’s stablemate Endorsement.
Another Bruce Wallace-trained runner Travel Wise accounted for last season ‘s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner O’Marilyn in their 1000 metres heat.