Classy mare Delishka left Christchurch on a flight this morning bound for Australia and feature mares races over the next six weeks.

Her trainer, Brad Mowbray has opted to send his classy Bettor’s Delight mare across the Tasman rather than tackle two races on his door step at Addington in February.

Delishka will bypass the Premier Mares Championship (Gr.2 $50,000) and the New Zealand Breeders Stakes (Gr.1 $100,000) in favour of four races worth a total of A$380,000.

The thinking, Mowbray says, is three-fold.

“Well firstly there is more money on offer.

“And I also felt that she would suit Menangle; she goes good at Ashburton on the big roomy track and the racing is quite similar.

“Whereas at Addington, it’s a case of whoever get the best run, gets the prize, especially over the 1950 (metres).

“So, if we drew badly in the that first one at Addington it would be a waste of time.

“I also thought it would be a good idea for when we try and sell her foals a bit further down the track.

“By the end of the season I was hoping she would have earned $100,000, have a good time on her record, and be a Group 1 performer.

“By going to Aussie she should get every chance to tick those boxes.

“Well, she’s already got a 1.52.6 time on her from the win at Ashburton in the spring, so I suppose one of those three is already ticked off, but it would be nice to lower it further.”

Mowbray’s wife, Melanie, accompanied Delishka on a flight to Sydney this morning and they will then transit to Melbourne for her first race next Saturday night – the $100,000 Ladyship Cup at Melton.

“Then she’ll head back to Sydney and there are two $40,000 lead-ups in to the Ladyship Mile at Menangle.”

The Ladyship Mile, worth A$200,000, is on February 24 and has previously been won by Kiwi mares Adore Me, Piccadilly Princess, Foreal and Silk Brocade.

Delishka will be Mowbray’s second Australian runner and second Ladyship Mile starter – if she makes the field.

He lined up Pemberton Shard in Adore Me’s Ladyship three years ago – the race now set in racing folklore after her 1.47.7 victory from the parked position.

Delishka has been in hot form this summer, winning three in a row.

It included a sterling last-to-first mile effort at Ashburton on Christmas Eve in 1.55.2 and then a Roxburgh Cup win on January 4 over 2700 metres.

“She’s just come back a bit stronger with the break she had after her three-year-old season.

“It was a really good stayer’s run at Roxburgh – she ran out a strong 2700 metres and that gives me confidence that if they go mad up front at Menangle she will be able to close over the top of them.”

Regular reinsman Matty Williamson will not fly to Melbourne for the Ladyship Cup drive, but will still be considered for the Ladyship Mile in Sydney.

“Blake Fitzpatrick will drive her next week and then we’ll make a decision after that,” said Mowbray.