Pavitra has delivered a performance busting with class in winning the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) on Friday.
The dominance of the three-year-old’s performance has seen firm into second-favouritism for the upcoming Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 25.
Trained by Richard and Will Freedman and ridden by Chad Schofield, Pavitra put the result beyond doubt with a sharp sprint in the run home that saw her draw away from her rivals so easily that Schofield eased her down in the last few strides.
Second-up here, Pavitra returned this preparation with a fifth placing behind Electric Girl in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill over 1300 metres though the mile showed to be much more to her liking.
By American Pharoah, Pavitra finished second in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) last November.
“You do get nervous after they’ve shown that they can do it last prep and then they come back later in their three-year-old career and you just hope they can keep improving,” Will Freedman said.
“When she gets her way up front like that she is pretty dynamic.”
After some conjecture, the Vinery has settled as her best chance of snaring her first win at the highest level.
“Looks like we’ve pulled the right rein and hopefully she recovers well over the next two weeks and in the Vinery she looks like she’ll be another good chance,” he added.
Chad Schofield noted that Pavitra had set aside some of her previous racing manners to settle better this time.
“A beautiful staying filly,” he said.
Pavitra won by four-lengths over the John Sargent-trained So Dazzling in second with Pierossa less than half-a-length away in third.
Pavitra is at $6 in the latest Vinery Stud Stakes pre-nominations markets with Prowess the $4.50 betr.com.au favourite.