Trainer Kylie Gavenlock endured the most anxious 15 minutes of her career at Hawkesbury a year ago waiting for Mary's Grace to be declared the winner of the Darley Crown.The mare returns to defend her title in Saturday's $100,000 Listed event with the trainer confident she is up to the task.The drama over her 2009 victory centred on the start when she came out well in front of her rivals.Stewards opened an inquiry straight after the race to review video footage and take evidence from the starter
Trainer Kylie Gavenlock endured the most anxious 15 minutes of her career at Hawkesbury a year ago waiting for Mary's Grace to be declared the winner of the Darley Crown.
The mare returns to defend her title in Saturday's $100,000 Listed event with the trainer confident she is up to the task.
The drama over her 2009 victory centred on the start when she came out well in front of her rivals.
Stewards opened an inquiry straight after the race to review video footage and take evidence from the starter to make sure Mary's Grace didn't break the gates and get an unfair advantage.
It was deemed a fair start and Gavenlock was left to celebrate.
The trainer pointed to the step up to 1300 metres from her recent starts at 1200 as a key factor in the mare's winning prospects.
"Both this race and the Mona Lisa Plate which she has won have come at her pet distances," Gavenlock said.
"The 1300 metres and 1350 metres are her pet distances and there aren't many races around at this level over that distance.
"They just run that fraction slower during the race (than they do at 1200m) which lets her lead or sit right up on the speed where she's comfortable.
"She likes tight tracks too because she races on the pace and I'm happy to have her in this race."
Mary's Grace came up with barrier three in the 10-horse field when acceptances were taken on Thursday with Grant Buckley, who was aboard for last year's victory, regaining the ride.
The field includes last-start Group Two Sapphire Stakes winner Renaissance from the Peter Snowden stable along with Sapphire placegetter Jersey Lily trained by Les Bridge.
Mary's Grace was second to Patronyme in the Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in February off a 10-week let-up and then ran fifth in the Wenona Girl (1200m) at Randwick and fifth again in the Birthday Card (1200m) at Rosehill five weeks ago.
"I'm happy with her and she races well fresh," Gavenlock said.
"I'm pleased with the draw and it's good to have Grant (Buckley) back on her because he knows her well. Hopefully she pings the lids like she did last year."
Gavenlock also revealed the five-year-old's racing career was winding down, adding extra incentive to try to claim another stakes win on Saturday.
The Listed Dark Jewel (1400m) at Scone on May 14 and the Listed Takeover Target Pacesetter Stakes (1200m) on June 23 on her home track at Gosford are likely to be the mare's final two starts before she is retired to stud.