Lonsdale Lady To Launch Winter Campaign
Trainer Kieran McDonagh says Lonsdale Lady is ready to bounce back from a setback when she returns to racing at Belmont on Saturday.
Lonsdale Lady underwent a throat operation after her last race in March when she finished 12th of 13 in the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m).
Rated highly by McDonagh as an Ascot carnival horse, Lonsdale Lady underlined her potential the start prior to win the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m).
The daughter of Maschino led from start to finish for Jade McNaught and booted clear at the top of the straight to defeat Cambist by 1 ¼ lengths.
McDonagh is excited to see the progression of Lonsdale Lady this preparation, who warmed up for her first-run with a 950m trial win at Lark Hill.
“You never really know how they come back from a throat operation, but from what I have seen she is going very well,” McDonagh told The Races WA.
“She had the wind operation after she choked down in the Natasha Stakes.
“But after the trial and a strong, hard gallop on Saturday, I’m confident she will be ok.
“She will come back in a 1400m race on Saturday, my only concern it maybe too short, but she was sharp over the trial.
“She will just have a couple of runs this preparation, more to give her the confidence again.
“She has got a lot bigger and stronger since her last campaign.
“She won’t have to improve too much out of her win in the 1000 Guineas.
“I really think she can go on and be an Ascot carnival horse.
“I have no negatives with her.”
Meanwhile Bunbury trainer Michael Lane indicated he will press ahead to Saturday week’s Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) with Free Trade.
The Trade Fair six-year-old ran fifth as favourite in last weekend’s Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m), but Lane said he was happy enough with the run and that the gelding had recovered well.
Julio Santarelli