The connections of Pussy O’Reilly are lowering their sights with the Group One performer as time counts down on her racing career.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare has been withdrawn from the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate and she will race outside of the elite company in her final appearances at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.
“We will run her in the open handicap over 1200 metres at Hastings on September 19 and then in the Group Three there on the last day,” part-owner Sir Patrick Hogan said.“We think she is a bit off the pace now for the Group One series, even though she ran second in the Makfi last year.
“We’re going to drop her back a bit in grade, in the hope she can get a couple more wins before she goes to stud and she’ll be served by Tavistock.”Pussy O'Reilly has won five races, including the Listed Flying Handicap at Awapuni, and she has finished in the money a further 14 times.
She has performed well at the top level and she was caught three wide without cover when second to I Do in the Makfi 12 months ago.Pussy O’Reilly has also placed in the Gr.1 Easter Handicap, the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and at Group Three level in the Foxbridge Plate, Westbury Classic and the Gold Trail Stakes.
“We’ve had a great time with her and she went close in those couple of Group Ones,” said Sir Patrick, who races the mare with his wife Lady Justine and Peter Walker.“I think what has cost her is that she’s got a fairly short sprint, she doesn’t have a sustained finish.”
Pussy O’Reilly was unplaced in her second crack at the Makfi last weekend on a day when Sir Patrick’s colours were carried to victory at Caulfield by Abidewithme in her first start for Peter Moody.“She probably deserved a Group One in New Zealand more than Pussy O’Reilly, but unfortunately she gets back in her races and when they just sprint home she had to be Phar Lap to win.
“Peter rang me before the race and said if the pace was on she would be right in it.”
