Smart mare Invienna will start her march towards the Country Championships when she resumes at Scone today.
The Greg Bennett-trained mare returns from a spell in the Dream Ahead @ Emirates Park Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1100 metres.
Invienna progressed to Highway Handicap grade in the city last campaign, running second over 1100m to Grand Proposal on October 17 before scoring a strong one-length victory at Rosehill two week later.
That form was good enough for connections to set the mare for the rich Country Championships series during the autumn and while she is unlikely to be at her peak with such an ambitious campaign ahead, class should take her a long way in today’s line-up.
Key to Invienna’s chances is the booking of top Sydney hoop Blake Shinn.
Shinn travels to Scone for just the one ride, a sign that he believes Invienna will be worth the effort as she works into her campaign.
Her biggest obstacle is an awkward draw, with the mare to jump from the second widest stall in the field of 14 after scratchings.
Shinn may have to settle the four-year-old back in the field or risk being trapped wide but she does possess a powerful turn of speed and has yet to finish worse than second in three resuming runs.
If a lack of race fitness takes its toll on Invienna there are several rivals ready to pounce including stablemate Chivadahlii.
The four year-old resumes from a break but has put together a solid record of four wins and three placings from nine attempts, three victories coming at this course.
He went to the paddock off a strong victory here in October and while also jumping from a wider gate he has two wins and a placing from three fresh attempts so may be more forward today than his stablemate.
Sergeant Doakes has been out of the money in two runs this time in but both efforts have been in town and he will find this grade more to his liking.
The Rodney Northam-trained three-year-old does possess ability and it is worth noting he is unbeaten in three appearances at this track, one coming at this distance.
He too is drawn towards the outside of the line but will be ready to peak at this third run in and Greg Ryan climbs into the saddle for the first time.
Power Supply is one who has fared better at the draw and made an encouraging return when running on for a 2.1 length third at Beaumont.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding should strip fitter for that outing and gets Christian Reith in the saddle today.
