Talented mare Pickabee was unable to match the late pace of Straturbo in the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) first-up on January 10th but will be far-better for the run when lining up for Saturday’s rescheduled Listed Nudgee Handicap (1200m) at Doomben, according to trainer Caitlin Lavin.
Pickabee has returned to competitive form ahead of the Nudgee Quality at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello
Jumping from the gates only fairly in the Magic Millions Sprint, Pickabee was settled towards the rear of the field and was unable to muster much of a kick in the final straight; finishing noticeably off the pace in seventh position.
Revealing the Jet Spur mare had experienced something of a difficult journey from her Sunshine Coast stables, Lavin told AAP she believes Pickabee has returned to full fitness ahead of the 2015 Nudgee Handicap and is confident of a successful second-up performance, particularly after leading contender Missy Longstocking chose not to accept into the final field of 12.
“I felt a bit like a bad mum after that run. It really was throwing her in the deep end to tackle 1100m first-up,” Lavin said.
“We had a three hour trip to get to the Gold Coast and it knocked her around. She lost about 17kgs on the day.
“She is back to her brightest and put most of the weight back on.
“Obviously we would like a black type win for her and this looks a nice race.”
Securing five race wins and a further three minor places over her 14 start career so far, Pickabee debuted with an impressive victory in the Racing Retro Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm in late 2012; progressing to second behind Peron in the Seven QLD Plate (1400m) in January 2013 before a lacklustre performance in the Coke Zero Handicap (1600m) drew curtains on her maiden preparation.
Returning to racing in the winter of 2013, Pickabee won several minor sprints on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane, but was unable to make much of an impact in her maiden Melbourne black type start; finishing eleventh in the Red Tracer-dominated Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m).
Having placed third in the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) and 10th in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) over a short winter campaign in 2014, Pickabee is currently rated an $8 chance for success in Saturday’s Nudgee Handicap with Ladbrokes Australia.
