Lucy Yeomans, a Cranbourne-based trainer, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to train a horse for some of Australia’s most distinguished owners.
Yeomans is preparing to run Changing Colours, a mare previously trained by Chris Waller, in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m) at Flemington this Saturday.
Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski, notable owners who have achieved success in some of Australia’s most significant races, are part of the ownership syndicate.
Yeomans’ prior employment with Ciaron Maher led to her acquaintance with Kheir and Sokolski, and her partner, jockey Blake Shinn, has ridden feature race winners for the pair.
“Brae gave a big push for the horse to come to us which I’m very grateful for,” Yeomans said.
The mare, a rising six-year-old by The Autumn Sun, recorded three wins from her 15 starts for Waller prior to her move to the new stable.
Yeomans mentioned that Waller had sent her an email regarding the mare.
“He’s been really nice, accommodating and forthcoming about the horse,” Yeomans stated regarding Waller.
“She’s a bit of a quirky mare and they just thought she would be better suited to a smaller environment.
“She’s come up really well and we’re really excited to get her to the races.
“We’ve taken our time with her, got to know her, and she spends a lot of time out in the sandhills.
“We thought that was a point of difference to what she has been used to, but she left Chris’ in great order before coming to us.”
Yeomans confirmed that Changing Colours had galloped and trialled effectively in preparation for her first start since February.
The mare was successful in a 1000m jump-out at Cranbourne on June 1, having finished fourth in another trial at the same venue the month prior.
“She seems a naturally fit horse, she has good first-up form, has drawn a nice gate,” Yeomans said. “We are not going there expecting to win, but it’s a nice kick off point and ideally the owners want to get some Black Type. At her best she might be, those fringe Black Type races, so we’ll see how we go on Saturday.”
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