Regally bred mare Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) added valuable black-type to her impressive pedigree page when placing in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The Savabeel four-year-old is the granddaughter of four-time Group One winner Ethereal and the half-sister to dual Group three-winning mare Eleonora.

Bred and owned by Sir Peter Vela, Supera has won four of her nine starts for $39,500 in prizemoney, and her connections believe she has the potential to add a Group One scalp to her record.

“We always knew she had a lot of ability, from day one she’s had that x-factor,” said Ken Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev and Mark Donoghue.

“Her temperament has always been a little issue for her, that’s why she has only had nine starts. We have taken our time with her and we’re fortunate the owners have allowed us to do that.

“It was great to get the Group Two placing on Saturday, it has made her as a broodmare. That was the plan of going there.”

Kelso said Supera will now be targeted towards weight-for-age and set-weight and penalties races, with her next target earmarked as the Gr.3 Tui - backing a winner since 1889 Anniversary (1600m) at Trentham next month. – NZ Racing Desk