Co-trainer Adrian Bott suggests that Love Story’s delayed entry into racing, now two starts into her career, may well be an advantage for the four-year-old mare.
The daughter of Justify had always displayed promise, but issues with knee chips and a bout of illness meant her debut was postponed until last month, where she finished a very close second at Warwick Farm.
Sent out as the prohibitive odds-on favourite for Wednesday’s Catanach’s Jewellers Plate (1400m) at Kensington, the mare improved on that effort, leading throughout under Adam Hyeronimus to score decisively by 3-1/4 lengths from Iminastate ($26). Memorise ($17) was a further margin back in third.
Bott believes Love Story has the scope to develop into a black-type performer and that her later start could benefit her development.
“It’s probably not a bad thing because she’s still all frame to look at,” Bott stated. “Another twelve months, if she can race thirty or forty kilos bigger we’ll see nice improvement from her. Maybe at the end of the season she could be a Queensland (winter carnival) mare.”
Meanwhile, training partners John O’Shea and Tom Charlton unveiled an impressive three-year-old colt, Punxsutawney Phil ($1.95), who remained undefeated with his third consecutive win in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1250m).
The colt was challenged by the more imposing Sky Deck at the business end of the race but fought back gamely to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Aladdin’s Girl ($41) ran on for second, with Sky Deck ($11) holding on for third.
Charlton was delighted with the horse’s tenacity and confirmed the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 24 is the probable next assignment.
“That was fantastic. Another good performance, and I’m really pleased for owner-breeder Neil Werrett because he’s a big supporter of the stable,” Charlton said. “John (O’Shea) and Neil have always had a plan to potentially go to the Brian Crowley. That’s two-and-a-half weeks and the likely target. He’s a really genuine little horse. He will appreciate 1200 for his next start. It will be perfect.”
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