GEMMA Hewitt is not sure if her new Kiwi Cowgirl can round up her Australian rivals on Sunday, but she still thinks she's a Angel with potential.
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A four-year-old mare who had 18 starts for two wins and six placings while in New Zealand, Cowgirls N Angels will make her debut for Georges Plains trainer Hewitt at Sunday's Bathurst meeting.
Since arriving in Hewitt's stable, Cowgirls N Angels has taken part in three trials.
She galloped on the apex of the final bend in the first of those, but in the two trials which followed the mare was first past the post.
The most recent of those on Monday saw her peel off sectionals of 28.7 and 28.9 seconds on the run home - an effort which gives an indication of her potential.
"I have had her a little while now, but I had a lot of trouble getting her feet right," Hewitt said.
"I think she will be a really nice mare when we get her sorted. I'm still learning about her and I think her first trial when they went 1:53 - almost a track record - was too much and too fast for her first up.
"She lost her footing with the speed and I think it has knocked her confidence a bit."
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Hewitt's American Ideal x Cowgirls N Indians mare has drawn barrier one for her Australian debut on Sunday and will have Jason Hewitt in the gig.
The trainer knows she faces some stiff opposition, but hopes to see continued improvement.
"I expect her to go well from barrier one on Sunday, but I think whatever she does, she is still learning and there will be plenty of improvement," Hewitt said.
"There are some nice seasoned horses in her race, Aphorism and Karinya Rocco, which will be tough to hold off.
"There's nothing targeted in sight for her at this stage. I just hope she is able to run through her grades a bit here in Bathurst and in time as COVID-19 restrictions ease, she will be able to target mares' races at Menangle."
Cowgirls N Angels will line up in the Vale Merv Copeland Pace (1,730 metres) at 4.34pm, while the first race of the meeting is set for 12.19pm.