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Paul Mirabelli will break new ground on Saturday with the capable sprinter Hannah Mary.
The Cambridge horseman formerly enjoyed a successful training partnership with Roger James and the Group-performed mare will be the first runner of his solo career at Trentham.
Hannah Mary is only a three-win horse, but she isn’t out of place in the Listed Carters Melbourne Racing Club Lightning Handicap as she has performed with distinction in black type events.“She’s been in very good form and the only concern I have is she’s not that fresh with only two weeks between runs,” Mirabelli said.
“Generally, she’s gone best with her races more spaced, but you have to take these black type chances.“Being by Dubawi, who is a world-class stallion, and with a Group placing she is already quite a valuable mare.”
Hannah Mary, who began her career with Stephen McKee, broke her maiden for Mirabelli a year ago and has subsequently added Rating 65 and 75 wins.However, she hasn’t been overawed by the step up to stakes racing and was fourth at long odds in the Listed Counties Bowl with a fifth in the Listed Newmarket Handicap and a last-start third in the Gr.3 Westbury Classic.
“When I dropped her back to her own company in between she couldn’t get out and got checked quite badly and she had a really tough trip in the Railway,” Mirabelli said.“At times, she’s been quite unlucky and the truer run races help her. She’s only tiny, but she really tries.”
Lisa Allpress, who hasn’t ridden for the stable before, will partner Hannah Mary.