Gerald Ryan’s Group 3 winning mare Vergara will race first-up in the 2016 Civic Stakes this Saturday in her final career start before heading to the breeding barn.

A five-year-old daughter of Snippetson, Vergara is one of a dozen nominees for the $100,000 Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse this weekend.

She is the sole mare in entered to take on the boys in the handicap clash and runs for the first time since her sixth to Azkadellia in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on April 9 during ‘The Championships’.

Boasting a good fresh record of two wins, a second and two thirds from seven first-up runs to date, Vergara is shooting for her first win since the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in March.

She followed that with a brave fourth to superstar Winx in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and will relish her break between runs as well as the return to Rosehill in the Civic Stakes.

The Civic Stakes distance (15-4-2-0) first-up also looks ideal for the half-a-million-dollar earner who is looking to add to her solid record for her first and only run for Ryan.

Vergara was previously prepared by Anthony Cummings, but Ryan has the pleasure of saddling her up for her career swansong before she heads to New Zealand for a date with in-form sire Tavistock.

“She runs on Saturday and goes to New Zealand on Monday to be served by Tavistock,” Ryan said.

“I’ve been happy with her and it would be great if she could win her last start.”

Vergara was sold for $460,000 at last month’s Sydney broodmare sales by new owners Blue Gum Farm and TJS Bloodstock.

Blue Gum Farm also have Turffontein on their stud roster, who is a half-brother to Vergara’s dam Graces Spirit.

There is plenty of class among the Civic Stakes nominations this Sydney Winter Racing Carnival including the Peter Robl-trained Listed City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) winner last time out Ninth Legion.

Ryan has a host of other Civic Stakes Day entries for the weekend in Sydney including Don’t Doubt Marley in the $85,000 3YO Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m).

Don’t Doubt Marley is one of three entries for Ryan in the race along with in-form War Chant three-year-old Suboric and fellow last-start winning Testa Rossa filly Rosettas Whey.

A daughter of Not A Single Doubt, Don’t Doubt Marley chases her first win since June last year.

Over the past 12 months she has raced competitively in good company however and was last seen finishing a close fifth only a length off the winner over 1200m at Rosehill on June 18 when taking on the older mares.

“She’s done well since that race but is going to 1500 metres for the first time so it is a question mark,” Ryan said of Don’t Doubt Marley.

“Suboric is going really well and is stepping up from two provincial wins.

“Rosettas Whey is also stepping up from a Newcastle win.”

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