New trainer Kris Lees has revealed that classy filly Thump will likely start her 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 22.
Thump recorded an impressive win over Miracles Of Life in the Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Thump joined the stable of Lees at the end of her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, after being purchased by Cressfield Thorougbreds, and had her first public appearance for her new stable in a barrier trial at Gosford yesterday.
Thump appeared in an open trial over 800 metres, along with stablemates Express Power, Urgent Bells and Sharnee Rose, and she failed to beat home a single runner but Lees told TVN that he was happy with the performance of the Red Ransom filly.
“She showed speed but then got a little tired and a few ran past her,” Lees said.
“She is still quite big, I am expecting her to improve off that trial in to her next and then likely resume in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick.”
Thump showed plenty of talent as a two-year-old, finishing third in the Listed 7News Plate (1000m) and second in the Group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), but did not breakthrough for her maiden race win until the start of her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
She started her preparation with a narrow win over Sweet Idea and Montsegur in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on August 24 before finishing a narrow third behind Bound For Earth and Guelph in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on September 7.
Thump returned to her best form with a dominant win over Miracles Of Life and I Love It in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and finished her campaign with a seventh place finish behind Zoustar in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
2013 Golden Pendant winner Sharnee Rose finished fourth ahead of Thump in the barrier trial at Gosford yesterday and is also nearing a return to racing; with the Nadeem mare on track to resume in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15.
Sharnee Rose performed well at Group 1 level in the spring, finishing fourth in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m), and could be set for races like the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22 and the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 19.
