Chicago Sky last raced in the G1 New Zealand Pacing Oaks at Addington in November, finishing a stellar third behind Arafura and Princess Gracy.
The four-year-old mare, trained by John and Katrina Price, has completed one training session in preparation for Thursday’s heat of the Vet South Equine Southern Belle Speed Series.
“I rode her and I thought she went quite well. She has matured a bit and seems to be a bit more competitive after her trip to Addington,” John said.
Chicago Sky pulls barrier two.
“She has gate speed and can go forward if she wants. I’ll leave it to Brent Barclay. But it’s a nice draw for her.”
Price says the four-year-old mare has a good new record.
“She won first place as a two-year-old and ran second in third place. She is a very pure filly, so we expect her to do quite well.”
Stumblin In, trained at Yaldhurst by Regan Todd, was last seen in a heat of the Sires’ Stakes in September, where he finished fourth behind smart types in Jumal, Zeus Lightning and Special Occasion.
“We thought about him a little bit last time. We threw him in among the big guns, but he got to the end and had to spell,” Todd said.
Todd took this preparation with him to two tests. In his first he was not extended and finished fourth, while in the second test he was right in front to beat Queen Lizzy by a length and a quarter.
“He had a good preparation. The first test was nice and quiet.”
Stumblin In starts in the first heat of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes.
“We thought this would be a good series for him to focus on.”
The three-year-old draws the outside of the front row in a small field of six.
“He can control the gate if necessary. I’ll just leave that to the gun driver.”
The three-year-old filly Miki’s Deal found a richer company after winning two group matches halfway through last season. She last raced in the final of the Dunstan Sires’ Stakes Two Year Old Fillies at Addington in November.
“She wasn’t doing too bad. She just drew poorly and it’s so hard to compete in those 1980-meter races. She had a break for a while and the others probably caught up to her a little bit,” trainer Brett Gray said.
This preparation Miki’s Deal has only had one training.
“I’m very happy with her, but she hasn’t really shown any speed yet, so hopefully she can.”
She starts in the Apex Valves Mobile Pace.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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