Honest mare Forward Love gets the chance to score an overdue win in today's Hyland Race Colours Handicap (race 4) at Canterbury Park.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained mare has placed two of three runs this time in and looks to get her chance against the fillies and mares over 1250m today.
Fresh-up, over 1100m here on heavy ground, she crossed from her wide gate and took up the running, turning second but kicking strongly to finish runner-up behind Longlea.
Second-up was over 1200m at Warwick Farm on top of the ground, where she settled third early on.
Turning a little further back she only battled home in the straight, finishing seventh and beaten a few lengths behind Tokamak.
Last start, over 1300m on heavy ground on the Kensington track at Randwick she ran a better race.
With Nash Rawiller back aboard, she settled third but loomed up and looked home but went down narrowly when a neck second behind Bidden.
Today Forward Love drops back slightly in journey and carries the same weight.
She has drawn well and Rawiller stays aboard.
The firmer footing will suit and from her good gate will take running down again.
She should be at her top and gets the chance to break through.
The Gerald Ryan-trained Mrs Onassis was luckless fresh and gets the chance to atone this time.
The mare didn't have a lot go right on debut when sixth, then broke through for her maiden win over 1100m at Wyong.
There she led throughout to score a 1.3 length win.
At her last run before a spell she raced over 1100m at Gosford where she got back but ran on well for a close-up fourth.
Resuming from a spell over 1100m at Wyong, she struck a heavy track and settled just off the pace.
Shuffled back turning though, she was well back straightening but hit the line well for a length third.
This is no easier but she has a light weight and a good draw and looks suited by the longer journey.
Lough Rea was disappointing last start but on her previous run she would be hard to beat here.
The mare resumed with a top run over 1100m at Canterbury Park, settling second last and turning there before hitting the line hard to finish third behind Longlea.
She was 1.5 lengths behind Forward Love but just gave too much start.
Last start Lough Lea returned here and was well supported as favourite where she settled fifth on the inside form the rails draw.
While not a lot went right in the run home she was disappointing, failing to come on and finishing sixth.
There's no doubt it was a below par effort and it's unlikely trainer Chris Waller would back her up a week later if he didn't have her ready to fire.
She rates highly on her best and Damien Oliver again heads to Sydney to partner her.
Pass The Parcel has finished runner-up at her last four starts so is long overdue for a win.
The claim helps and although drawn wide will be running on well.
