Trainer Robbie Laing will change tactics with Lord Of The Sky if he decides to back up the three year old this week at Moonee Valley following his shock defeat in the Group 3 $150,000 Slickpix Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
Trainer Robbie Laing is considering backing up Lord Of The Sky at Moonee Valley. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Lord Of The Sky was sent out the raging $1.40 favourite but after sitting outside of the leader Le Bonsir, was the first horse beaten and faded from the 200m to wind up in fourth spot behind surprise winner Adelaide filly Thiamandi ($19).
After being the first to leave the barriers, jockey Dwayne Dunn restrained the speedster and let Daniel Moor slip up inside of him on Le Bonsir and the pair shared the lead as they raced towards the 300m mark.
Laing said that Lord Of The Sky had pulled up well after the disappointing effort and is considering backing him up this week over 1000m with a 3kg claim and let the three year old use his natural speed to run along out in front.
“He’s as good as gold,” Laing told AAP.
“I might freshen him all this week, just keep him away from the track and then go to Moonee Valley on Saturday over 1000 metres.
“I’ll claim three kilograms off his back and just let him run.”
Even tough Lord Of The Sky failed to perform last Saturday, Laing still considers him to be a Group 1 performer and is still keen to start the rising four year old in the Group 1 $400,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30.
“I believe he is a Group One horse in the making,” Laing said.
“He’s very hard to hold in even time work, so he might as well go to Moonee Valley and have a 1000 metre gallop next week.”
Lord Of The Sky looked like a star in the making with a win with apprentice Kayla Nisbet over 1000m at Caulfield on May 17 followed by a stunning four and a half lengths win in the Group 3 $135,000 Polytrack Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 5 with Dunn in the saddle.
Last Saturday wasn’t the first time that Lord Of The Sky had failed as an odds on favourite.
The Danerick colt was sent out the $1.90 top pick for the Listed $120,000 Robert Taranto W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on February 1 but was never in contention and finished at the tail for the thirteen horse field.
Glen Boss was in the saddle that day and reported that Lord Of The Sky had failed to handle the extremely hot conditions and Laing also reported to stewards that he had pulled up shin sore.
