Matamata trainer Vicki Prendergast has struck up a great association with breeder Scott Williams with his M’Lady breed and has tipped bright futures for exciting three-year-old Easy M’Lady and stakes performer Hello M’Lady.

 

Easy M’Lady lived up to her name at Rotorua on Sunday where she won easily on debut over 1230m and Prendergast has set some big targets this spring for the filly she picked out as a foal.

“We did really expect her to win, I would have been disappointed if she hadn’t, she’s got a bright future,” Prendergast said.

“We want to get her to the 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m), so she’ll probably go to Tauranga next for a (rating) 65 1400m and then we’re not 100 per cent sure, maybe the Soliloquy (Group 3, 1400m).

“She’s a beautiful filly, we have always known that. I picked her out of the paddock as a foal and I tried to buy her but Scott wouldn’t sell her and then he gave her to me. I’ve liked her since she was tiny.

“Scott Williams also bred Hello M’Lady, he gave them both to me.”

In-form mare Hello M’Lady is also on a black-type trail this spring and is set for her first stakes test of the season at Counties on Sunday when she lines-up in the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m).

The daughter of Shocking has been in great form of late, winning fresh-up at Rotorua in July, followed by two runner-up performances over 1400m.

Prendergast, who part-owns both Hello M’Lady and Easy M’Lady, has been pleased with how the five-year-old is performing and said the drop in weight to 53kg is a bonus.

“I am pretty happy with her, she is working lovely and trying hard in all her races, so I can’t complain,” Prendergast said.

“I thought she dug deep in all three runs, she struggles with fitness and the heavy11 tracks.

“Both jockeys who have ridden her have hopped off saying she needs a better track, it’s just a bit heavy for her the bottomless tracks.

“The weight’s good, I am happy with that. It’s almost a blessing we didn’t win last start because we would have had to carry too much this start.”

Prendergast is confident with Hello M’Lady heading into Sunday, but is wary of the strong field.

“It would be absolutely fantastic (to win) but it’s a tough field and the track is drying up very quickly, a little bit of rain would be good. After complaining about the heavy11, I’d still like a bit of rain.

“There are a few stayers resuming and there are certainly no slugs in the field, anything could happen really and she will certainly be tested.”

Hello M’Lady has been set more black-type targets this spring, with the daughter of Shocking likely to head towards the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) next month.