Perfect opportunity for mother to be

In-foal mare Celebrity Miss would be a fitting winner at Wanganui on Saturday.

Successful at stakes level and a Group One placegetter, she is nearing the end of her career and victory in the Listed Civics @ Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup would be highly appropriate.

“We sponsor the race and have done for a number of years, but I’ve never had anything to run in the race before now,” trainer Lee Somervell said.

“She is in foal to Shocking and that’s made a big difference to her. They often run very well in the early stages of a pregnancy.

“Her work has been excellent and I’ve got a sneaky feeling that she’s going to handle Wanganui very well – it can be an on pace track and the weight is a gift for her.”

For a mare with her record, Celebrity Miss does look particularly well placed on the minimum 53kgs.

The Civics six-year-old, whose career highlights are her win in the Listed Jakalberry Classic and a second in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic, has been below par in her last three runs, but Somervell believes that is about to change.

“If she is anywhere near her best, and I very much tend to think she is, then she’s going to be very competitive,” he said.

“Trudy (Thornton) won’t be at Wanganui so I’ve got Emily Farr and I’m very happy to have her.”

Farr will also be aboard Celebrity Miss’ stablemate Stradivarius in the Wanganui Steelformers 1590.

“He’s a lovely boy and he’s good friends with the mare so they’ll travel down well,” Somervell said.

Group placed last season, Stradivarius is in excellent touch with a win and 11 placings from his last 12 appearances.