A patient wait for connections of Rivaport is almost over, with the 5yo French-bred mare set to make her Australian debut at Pakenham on Thursday.
Joining OTI as a yearling in 2019, Rivaport’s French career was a promising one, having six career starts as a 3yo for a win and three seconds. Her win came at the ‘provincials’ in Tarbes, but she also ran well at the premier tracks of Chantilly and Longchamp. In November 2021, at the conclusion of her three-year-old season, she commenced her journey to Australia.
The mare joined Grahame Begg’s stable after her travel and impressed her new trainer from the beginning. After a trial at Cranbourne in May 2022, Rivaport needed a longer than expected break due to colic complications, but has come back in great order after her time off.
Returning to work in late November ’22, she has had two positive trials at her home track at Cranbourne and is now ready to make her way to the races.
The 5yo is likely to start this Thursday at Pakenham in the BM64 for Fillies and Mares over 1600m, which should be a great kick-off point for her career here in Australia.
If she shows the talent that we think she has, her path could potentially lead towards the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick in April.
Best of luck to all involved for her first Australian start!