The Mark Walker stable is incorporating additional equipment in their strategy to secure a Group 1 race with Lara Antipova.
A cross-over nose band is set to be applied to the filly for the first time as Lara Antipova prepares for the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
After a commanding 1400m victory at Flemington on September 12, Lara Antipova subsequently finished fourth when competing against the colts in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on September 27.
Ben Gleeson, assistant trainer to Mark Walker, explained that the filly’s tendency to race keenly in her previous start necessitated the introduction of the cross-over nose band.
Gleeson confirmed that Lara Antipova executed a strong gallop in the new gear at Caulfield on Tuesday, showing marked improvement in her tractability.
“She did a little bit wrong last start,” Gleeson commented. “She over travelled and it was a very slow tempo. I think they were six lengths slower than when she won at Flemington where she had a lovely run in transit.”
“I know everyone was saying she had all the favours, but they ran it at a pretty strong tempo and if you look at where the leader and the second (horse) in the run finished, out the back, she stuck on pretty strongly to win.”
“The tempo brought her undone the other day. I still think she ran boldly and didn’t drop out after over-travelling in the run.”
“She’s blown those cobwebs out now at the mile. She’s had a nice three weeks to get over it and the colts that beat her, they were beaten by two superstars in the Caulfield Guineas last week.”
“The fillies in the Guineas this week are nowhere near the colts, and we’ve put the crossover noseband on.”
“She was much more tractable with it in her gallop on Tuesday and if she can do everything right in the run and travel sweetly, she’s got a chance.”
Gleeson noted that Lara Antipova appeared spirited and benefited from the change of scenery during her trip from Cranbourne on Tuesday.
“It was good to take her away from her routine at home,” Gleeson said. “She was fresh, on her toes, and you get the best surface for galloping.”
“Her coat is the best it has been all prep, her weight is great, her attitude is terrific, and there seems a really good sense of timing, but she will need the luck with a good tempo.”
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