Trainer Mike Moroney is chasing a black type victory with Spitfire Lady and believes that the 2014 Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich on Saturday is a nice race for the promising mare.
Spitfire Lady is chasing her maiden win at Listed level in the 2014 Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Spitfire Lady will be returning to Australian racing in the Gai Waterhouse Classic after having five race starts in New Zealand in the autumn – a trip that was designed to get some black type on her racing resume.
The Hussonet mare finished second in the New Zealand Optics Handicap (1200m), Shailer Racing Handicap (1400m) and Listed Goodwood Studs Handicap (1400m) before missing the placings in the Group 1 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on April 12 and the Listed Rotorua Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park (1400m) on May 10.
Moroney told Racing Ahead that the New Zealand trip did not go exactly to plan for Spitfire Lady, but said that he was happy with the condition of the four-year-old and believes she is a winning chance in the Gai Waterhouse Classic this weekend.
“We took her across to New Zealand to get black type and things didn’t quiet go right,” Moroney said.
“She ran second in a Listed race there and we just found that she drew the wrong barrier in the Easter Handicap; halfway down the straight she looked like she was just about going to win, but she was on the wrong part of the track and got swamped late.
“She did get some black type there, which is great, and we are trying to win a Stakes race with her to get more black type.
“She has drawn well and we have freshened her up nicely.
“She had a jump out at Caloundra, which she won and I am really happy with her.
“It looks a nice race for her.”
Spitfire Lady has previously had four starts in Australia at black type level, but missed the placings in the 2012 Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m), 2012 Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m), 2013 Group 3 Lavazza Short Black Handicap (1400m) and Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m).
Spitfire Lady is currently available at 2014 Gai Waterhouse Classic odds of $13; with Mick Price-trained Jazz Song ($3.50) a clear favourite from last start winner Breakfast In Bed ($5.50), the in-form Griante ($5.50) and Stuart Kendrick-trained Avaladyluck ($9).
