Lady Mendoza set for a step up in trip after showing signs of improvement in her second start over fences
08 Nov 2024
Lady Mendoza made her second start over fences last Thursday at Newcastle where she came home in fifth place.
Having struggled in her first run over fences at Hexham where she wasn't able to get into any sort of rhythm, she showed signs of improvement last time out despite still being quite novicey when approaching the fences and making life more difficult for herself and jockey Brian Hughes.
Brian was in the hot seat onboard Lady Mendoza for the third time in her career, and for the second time in two days having ridden Cave Article for Christian Williams to a fifth place finish as well the day prior at Fakenham.
She started off in the rear of the field, but still attached to the pack, and remained handily placed in that spot for the majority of the race. The good ground seemed to not suit our seven-year-old as she soon became outpaced with around six fences left to jump. However, when Brian Hughes put the pressure on Lady Mendoza, and asked her for an effort, she responded in the way that she often does and began to stay on.
She galloped on down the home straight, a point outlined by jockey Brian Hughes immediately following the race, and made up some of the ground that she had lost to the horses in front of her, eventually coming home 10 lengths behind the winner, who himself was five lengths clear of the second place finisher.
WATCH: Jockey Brian Hughes assesses Lady Mendoza's second start over fences at Newcastle
Rebecca Menzies provided this update on the next steps for Lady Mendoza, confirming where she'll head next:
"When Brian [Hughes] got off Lady Mendoza after her last run, he said if she ran in a chase at Sedgefield over three and a quarter miles, she’d win, so that’s exactly what we’re planning, no pressure Brian! Joking apart, I agree with him that a longer trip should really suit her, bring her stamina into play, so we’ve entered her in the 0 – 105 handicap chase over the extended 3m2f there next Thursday.
The going is currently good, and there’s not much rain around, so we shouldn’t have any concerns on that front, and with her rating and the number of initial entries, she’s guaranteed to get in the race. It’s obviously our local track so nice and easy for her to get there too!"
Want to head to Lady Mendoza's next race as one of her Owners for the Day? Enter our latest competition for your chance to win an unforgettable owners' experience!
Having struggled in her first run over fences at Hexham where she wasn't able to get into any sort of rhythm, she showed signs of improvement last time out despite still being quite novicey when approaching the fences and making life more difficult for herself and jockey Brian Hughes.
Brian was in the hot seat onboard Lady Mendoza for the third time in her career, and for the second time in two days having ridden Cave Article for Christian Williams to a fifth place finish as well the day prior at Fakenham.
She started off in the rear of the field, but still attached to the pack, and remained handily placed in that spot for the majority of the race. The good ground seemed to not suit our seven-year-old as she soon became outpaced with around six fences left to jump. However, when Brian Hughes put the pressure on Lady Mendoza, and asked her for an effort, she responded in the way that she often does and began to stay on.
She galloped on down the home straight, a point outlined by jockey Brian Hughes immediately following the race, and made up some of the ground that she had lost to the horses in front of her, eventually coming home 10 lengths behind the winner, who himself was five lengths clear of the second place finisher.
WATCH: Jockey Brian Hughes assesses Lady Mendoza's second start over fences at Newcastle
Rebecca Menzies provided this update on the next steps for Lady Mendoza, confirming where she'll head next:
"When Brian [Hughes] got off Lady Mendoza after her last run, he said if she ran in a chase at Sedgefield over three and a quarter miles, she’d win, so that’s exactly what we’re planning, no pressure Brian! Joking apart, I agree with him that a longer trip should really suit her, bring her stamina into play, so we’ve entered her in the 0 – 105 handicap chase over the extended 3m2f there next Thursday.
The going is currently good, and there’s not much rain around, so we shouldn’t have any concerns on that front, and with her rating and the number of initial entries, she’s guaranteed to get in the race. It’s obviously our local track so nice and easy for her to get there too!"
Want to head to Lady Mendoza's next race as one of her Owners for the Day? Enter our latest competition for your chance to win an unforgettable owners' experience!
Related news
Share
