Tatts Tiara Beckons for Coventina Bay

Taranaki mare Coventina Bay (Shamexpress) will attempt to ascend the Queensland throne when she lines-up in the Gr1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm next week. After pleasing with a trial win at the Sunshine Coast earlier this month, she finished seventh in the Gr2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday, but NZ Racing Desk reports trainer Robbie Patterson was still happy with her effort. “She just got into a position that she couldn’t get out of, she got stuck on the fence, and it wasn’t the place to be. It chopped up on the inside and it was just circumstances that we ended up there.” Patterson conceded, “I was happy with the run and she has pulled up well. It’s onwards and upwards from here." Coventina Bay is in search of her first Group 1 victory, having finished runner-up in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) behind Avantage (Fastnet Rock), her only other start at elite-level.