Lady Grace has been crying out for two things - distance and a good track.
She got both at Wingatui on Thursday and confirmed the faith her co-trainer, Pam Hughes, has long held in the daughter of Sir Percy.
With her mother, Devant, being by super staying sire Zabeel, there was never any doubt the 4yr-old would find her niche over more ground, but it was a case of Hughes and husband Kevin trying to find a race for her.
Lady Grace ran third over 2100m at Ashburton on September 12 and repeated the result at Timaru on October 10, but she was then thrown into a rating 65 2100m - out of her grade - at Ashburton last Saturday.
''It's been hard finding staying races for maideners which is why she went to Ashburton for the rating 65,'' Pam Hughes said.
The mare could not get comfortable on the awkward surface and plugged away to finish seventh, shortly before the meeting was abandoned.
''She didn't like the shifting ground and she didn't run on. Matt [Cameron, jockey] went three wide looking for somewhere that wasn't slippery.
A $30,000 rating 65 race over 2500m is now her target as Hughes looks to extend Lady Grace over more ground.
''She's just an out and out stayer. Because of injuries and accidents, she hasn't raced until now, but the Sir Percy [progeny] that have been hurried along earlier haven't done as well.
''Timing-wise, age-wise, she'll have it all ahead of her.''
After Cup Week, Hughes is happy for Lady Grace to decide whether to carry on.
''She likes firm ground so we'll let her tell us when she's sick of it.''
