Trainer Marc Conners looks to have unearthed a quality prospect in Penpel, who stamped her potential with a commanding display at Warwick Farm. Piloted by Adam Hyeronimus, the two-year-old filly broke her maiden status with a powerful three-length win in the TAB Handicap (1100m) on Wednesday.

Penpel had already impressed on debut when finishing second behind the highly regarded Agarwood. A $20,000 purchase, she has already proven to be a bargain buy, and her victory left no doubt about her upside moving forward.

“She raced well first time out and I was very confident she’d be able to win today,” Hyeronimus said.

“I have been very keen to let the stable know I wanted to ride her wherever she went because I think she is a horse with a lot of ability.

“She is a big two-year-old filly, but she will strengthen up a lot more, I think.”

Despite being eligible to trial early last spring, Penpel was kept under wraps until recently, a strategy that seems to have paid off. Conners has always rated her highly due to her action and athleticism.

“She is a really nice filly. We’ve had a lot of time for her for a long time and she put the writing on the wall the other day,” Conners said.

“With that run under her belt today she was really switched on and did everything right.

“For a two-year-old filly, she has got a massive stride on her and that’s the thing we picked up early on with her. She is hot, she’s a chestnut filly, but she definitely got the job done today.”

Plans are now in place to spell Penpel before preparing her for higher-quality assignments in the spring. Her trainer believes she’ll handle further and is keen to explore her full potential over 1400m and beyond.

“For three-year-old fillies in the spring, there are so many options. She’s got the job done now so we’ll put her away,” he said.

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