Seeing a thoroughbred complete twelve starts within one preparation is not the norm anymore, though Michael Morrison believes his durable mare Down Under Stunnah remains capable of a competitive effort in her parting start this time around at Ipswich.

Having transferred his stable recently from Beaudesert to Ipswich, Morrison is eager for the five-year-old to notch the breakthrough success for the fresh setup and follow up her January triumph at the course in the Living Turf Benchmark 60 Handicap (2180m) this Thursday from draw two.

“This is her last run for the prep but I think she is well and truly still in good enough order to be going close again,” Morrison said.

The mare held on tenaciously for second, beaten by a whisker, at Ipswich going 2010m on March 6, and then placed fourth over 2030m at Doomben in April.

“She probably for a little bit further back that what is preferable,” he said of the metro midweek outing.

“They didn’t go overly quickly so if made things a little bit difficult, but it was a strong midweek race and I think the top four gapped the rest and she was taking a bit of ground off them late.

“We’re back out again in trip and the good thing about a good gate is that she can land in the good spot without having to do any work early and I think with her, she begins well enough but you also don’t want to have her under pressure early.

“The good gate will allow her to land in a good spot without using any petrol where two starts ago at Ipswich, she had to be used a bit to find a spot and I think that probably made the difference late.

By Under The Louvre from dam Stryking Stunnah, Down Under Stunnah leads her family with two successes and two further placings in thirteen appearances.

Young Queensland resident Brandon Lerena, originally from South Africa, has handled the reins for eight of her past ten starts.

“He’s a strong rider and has great hands in terms of being able to get horses to relax,” Morrison said.

“I think that is very important wherever they are settling to be in that rhythm and give late.

“He’s the perfect rider and probably still underutilised up here and that works in our favour because we usually get first call on him.”

Morrison paired with Lerena has delivered three victories and four placings from 17 rides in the jockey’s recent 100 engagements.

For betting sites offering competitive lines, visit betting sites ahead of Down Under Stunnah’s tilt at the Living Turf Benchmark 60 Handicap.