Hopefully she can do us and the Coral Racing Club justice!

We’ve declared Lady Mendoza for her debut run where she will face seven rivals in a Mares’ Maiden Hurdle over 2 miles 4 ½ furlongs at Newcastle on Thursday. Nathan Moscrop, who has ridden her plenty at home, will ride. Taking on her own sex is the right thing to do on her first run, rather than asking her to face male horses who could be physically stronger than her at this stage.

She’s continued to please us at home, she’s always taken her work well, and we’ve just been giving her steady canters for the last few days to keep her ticking over ahead of this race. We did school her over hurdles on Saturday morning and she did that nicely. She’s been a natural over hurdles from day one, and that’s why I’ve got the confidence to go straight for a hurdles race, rather than starting her off in a bumper.

A few of my jumpers have improved for their first run this season, but I think Lady Mendoza is fit enough to do herself justice on Thursday. If she does get tired towards the end of the race, as long as she’s shown a willing attitude until that point, I wouldn’t be too disappointed.

We’ve had plenty of rain up here, which I think will turn the ground to the slow side of good, which will be absolutely fine for her. The ground has been very quick for this time of year, so the rain will ensure the ground is nice and safe. Newcastle is a big, wide, galloping track, so a good place to introduce a youngster, and it’s not far from us, so she shouldn’t have any problems with the travelling.

I’ve only briefly looked at her opposition at this stage and there are a couple of big yards sending runners which I’d have to respect, but really I couldn’t be happier with our horse, and I’m really excited to see her on the track. Hopefully she can do us and the Coral Racing Club justice!

Rebecca Menzies