Multiple stakes winning mare Entriviere is on song ahead of Saturday’s inaugural The Invitation at Randwick.
The Kiwi raider has shown her class in her second trip to Australia, winning the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes first-up before flashing home in the Group 2 Golden Pendant most recently.
The five-year-old hasn’t raced since September, but performed well in a recent trial behind Classique Legend earlier this month.
Tommy Berry takes the ride with James McDonald heading to Melbourne and will have his first sit on Entriviere on Saturday due to the current covid-19 restrictions in place for Sydney jockeys.
Trainer Jamie Richards says the daughter of Tavistock is ready to fire in Saturday’s feature race.
“She’s looking good,” he said.
“She did a nice piece of work this (Tuesday) morning and the team seems to be happy.
“I think she’s in a good space.”
“He’s (Tommy Berry) not allowed to (work the horse) unfortunately, it’s just part of the world we live in at the moment.
“These blokes are world class riders and he’ll know exactly what to expect after watching her replay’s and I’m looking forward to having him on.”
Entriviere was one of the first runners confirmed for the first running of the $2 million feature for fillies and mares.
The mare is the highest-rated horse in the race, but gets in with only 58kgs for what will most likely be her Grand Final, with Richards saying the five-year-old may return to New Zealand after Saturday’s run.
“I think she’ll probably come home and have a bit of a break,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s any need to go down to Melbourne, but we’ll just get through Saturday and we’ll trim it all up.
“I’d say she’d be coming home.”
Entriviere won’t be the only horse Richards will saddle-up in a feature race this weekend, with star mare Probabeel lining up in barrier seven for the Cox Plate.
The daughter of Savabeel finished seventh in last year’s renewal on an unfavourable Soft track.
Richards says the five-year-old will need to be at her best to add another Group 1 win to her tally.
“She’s at the top of her game at the moment and she needs to be,” he said.
“She’ll have to run a career best there on Saturday to be competitive.
“She’s got a nice barrier draw, she’s going to get some options from there, it looks like it’s going to be a good track if that rain stays away and she’s had a good preparation.
“She’s rock hard fit, she’s had that good run at 2000m. She’s a very good horse, she’s not the best horse in that race, but they’ll know she’s there.
“She’ll run well like she always does.”
Entriviere is currently the $2.50 favourite for The Invitation with the barrier draw still to come, while Probabeel is a $15 chance for the 2021 Cox Plate with tab.com.au.
