Our Abbadean pleased her connections with her exhibition gallop at Matamata racecourse on Wednesday, her last hit-out before next weekend’s Gr.1 Fibre Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

Our Abbadean worked with race rival Supera and clocked her 1000m in 1:00.9 under jockey Craig Grylls.

“It was beautiful work,” Grylls said. “She was nice and relaxed down the back, quickened up, was doing it easy and she feels really good in her action.

“Her breathing was good and she’s bright and well. I can’t fault her and she’s heading in the right direction.”

In training for the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, Our Abbadean came of age last autumn, winning the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m), Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and finished runner-up in the Listed Hawkes Bay Cup (2200m).

She continued that form into the spring where she resumed with a third behind stablemate Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings and finished third in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in December.

Trainer Jamie Richards said he is pleased with the six-year-old heading into her Group One assignment.

“I thought she might have been a little lazier in the (exhibition) gallop, because normally she sits off and chases, but she was happy and travelling,” he said.

“She’s in a good space, can be electric fresh and we’re looking forward to it. With the right trip, she could give them a good shake.”