Silverina kicks off at Flemington

Liam Howley will kick off the Australian career of former New Zealand mare Silverina at Flemington.

Group 2 placed during her eight-start career in New Zealand, Silverina runs in the Leilani Series Final (1400m) on Saturday.

Silverina has not raced since finishing third in the Group 2 Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on December 10 before transferring into the care of Howley at Kyneton.

The daughter of Contributor has had two trials, both at Tatura, to prepare for her Australian debut.

Howley said the plan with Silverina was to attempt to add some Australian Black Type to her record as the four-year-old was purchased with a view to being a broodmare.

“She was bought by a really good client from a broodmare point of view and hopefully we can add a bit of value to her,” Howley said.

“She was Group 2 placed in New Zealand, but you never quite know how that lines up over here and her trials and jump-outs have been a little bit inconclusive.”

Howley said Silverina was a typical New Zealand mare, tough, loves work and had given the trainer the impression she would love a very wet track.

But Howley took the mare to Tatura last week where she was unplaced in a trial over 1100m on a Heavy 10 track.

“She just floundered in it,” Howley said.

“She’s an on-speed sort and I think that 1400 metres to a mile will be good for her.

“She can be a nasty little thing, but she’s tough, she’s sound, she’s ready to go and this will be a bit more of a learning curve with her on Saturday.”

Howley said Silverina, on potential, could measure up to some of the mares’ races during the spring as he chases some Black Type.

But at the same time, Howley said Saturday’s race will tell him a lot more about the mare.

“We think, potentially, she has some spring class about her and the aim is to try and get some Australian Black Type,” Howley said.

“We’ll give her this one, then there’s a mile (1600m) race in two weeks back at Flemington, depending on what she does on Saturday, and then we may back off for the spring.”