Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Reinette has proved her class against top-flight colts and geldings, and she is sure to appreciate racing against her own sex when she lines up in the favourable No. 2 barrier in the $100,000 APG Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She has had two starts after resuming from a spell for an easy first-up victory over geldings The Khukri and Lazarus Star at Bunbury on January 14, and then from out wide at barrier eight at Gloucester Park she sustained a strong three-wide burst from the midfield to finish a head second to Jaxs Ideal after hitting the front with 550m to travel.
Those two efforts followed her splendid effort when she fought on grandly to finish second to brilliant gelding Cyclone Jordy in the Group 1 Golden Slipper late last September.
Reinette, prepared by veteran Coolup trainer Frank Nafranec, will be handled by Trent Wheeler, who has driven her ten times for five wins and three seconds.
Last year as a two-year-old Reinette won the Group 1 Westbred Classic and the Group 3 Champagne Classic (beating smart colt Captain Stirling) before her second placing in the Golden Slipper.
Last-start winners Jaxs Ideal and Its Maa Time will begin from the back line and represent the chief dangers to Reinette, along with Delulu, who will start from barrier six on the front line.
Jaxs Ideal, to be driven by Gary Hall Jnr for trainer Michael Young, is in top form, having won at her past four starts, including her grand effort when she was ninth at the bell before charging home to beat Reinette by a head.
Trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo is pleased with Its Maa Time’s form, including her win by a length over Delulu over 2130m last Friday night when she led from barrier three and sprinted over the final quarters in 28.4sec. and 28.5sec.
“Its Maa Time has the ability, but it is just her tractability which is the concern from time to time,” said De Campo. “She pulled up a bit big last week and she will improve on that run. Gate speed is her main asset, but she has high speed as well. She has won from behind. She gets a bit revvy at times, so I’ve got to keep her relaxed.”
Delulu’s second placing to Its Maa Time last week was full of merit. She began from barrier six, worked in the breeze and challenged very hard in the final lap. She will again be driven by Deni Roberts for trainers Greg and Skye Bond.
The Bond stable will also be represented by Swiftie, who will be resuming after a spell. She has yet to win but has been placed at four of her eight starts. She will be driven by Stuart McDonald and will start from barrier seven.
Ace trainer Justin Prentice will be producing Winter Wonder for a strong first-up effort from the No. 1 barrier at her first appearance for six months.