Four-year-old mare Lucky Morna is out to build on her impressive debut for Matthew Dale at Wagga this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The ex-Queensland galloper lines up in the Home Building Society Benchmark 65 Handicap (1400m) in her second start for the young Canberra trainer, 17 days after a brilliant showing at Goulburn.
The former Kelso Wood-trainer daughter of Ferocity moved to Dale’s yard over the summer, and proved far too good in Class 3 company at Goulburn earlier this month, leading from start to finish and returning a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 85.
She carried 59kg on that occasion over 1200m and looked to have plenty left in the tank.
Today she drops to 57.5kg and should go straight to the front again for barrier three, with jockey Brendan Ward staying in the saddle.
On class alone, she’ll be very tough to beat. Back in May of 2011 she ran second in Listed company at Doomben, then in the spring of that year she was beaten just a long neck in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.
Lucky Morna is placed in two of three second-up runs, and twice over this trip. If she runs up to that impressive Goulburn showing she’ll likely be winning this one.
With the scratching of Rick Worthington’s Lord Of The Spur, Peter Clancy’s Zarreig comes under notice in this one. He bounced back to form with a win at Gundagai in this grade last start after two unplaced runs since resuming.
The run was rated at 78 on weight-adjusted Timeform figures, and he carries another 2kg here which takes him up to the 60kg top weight.
Jockey Nick Souquet jumping back on looks a positive – he’s won four of five starts on Zarreig, two of which came at this track.
This galloper won four races in a row over the spring and certainly can’t be overlooked.
Today’s run is his first beyond six furlongs but don’t be surprised to see him there when the whips are cracking.
Contemplation is next in line today after a strong performance in Class 2 grade at this track and trip 24 days ago.
She was beaten a length carrying 59kg, returning a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 81.
Today she drops to 55kg and should be very competitive.
