Lady Brook could stake her claim for a spot in the Wagga qualifier of the Newhaven Park Country Championships on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The mare is coming off a three-week racing break in the Class 4 Preview over 1200 metres and if she happens to perform well enough a start in the $150,000 Wagga heat on February 20 could be confirmed.
Lady Brook has been placed in two starts at Moonee Valley since winning at the Snake Gully Cup carnival in November when leading jockey Blaike McDougall was in charge.
The Albury jockey takes over again from barrier two.
Lady Brook has raced nine times for three wins and four placings - her only unplaced runs coming at Caulfield and Flemington.
Trainer Phil Sweeney said Wagga's race would determine if the mare lines-up at the same track in 10 days.
While she isn't coming off an extended racing break, Lady Brook has performed fresh in the past with two wins from as many starts.
The preview has added interest with two Victorian trained gallopers and a Kembla Grange pair in the field of nine, who are ineligible to race in the Wagga qualifier.
However trainer Teresa Bateup is expecting last start winner Magico Hombre to make his presence felt if he starts at Wagga.
He is also entered for a race at Canterbury and Bateup is weighing up the best option, but a Wagga start is a possibility.
"He is a very nice horse who won well first-up and I hope to have him back at Wagga for the Guineas in May," she said.
Fellow Kembla Grange galloper Direct Default has fired in all starts this campaign with a win, second and a fourth.
Flora Bel is a Wagga winner and can be relied upon first-up, while Kaipaki was impressive winning at Wagga two starts ago before failing in Sydney when he over-raced.
Top weight Chipsaredown could also hit back fresh and has found a suitable race after winning his first two starts this campaign.
A strong line-up will contest the Open Handicap over 1400 metres where proven galloper Spunlago features after some strong displays at Wagga.
Upper House has continued to race well this preparation winning the Ted Ryder Cup where he defeated Spunlago (third) while Lady Mironton has also been close-up in recent starts.
