Trainer Jason Warren is confident the step up to 1400 metres for the first time will help Lady Rum Dum keep her unbeaten record intact at Sandown.
The daughter of Caulfield Guineas winner God’s Own goes for her fourth straight win in Wednesday’s Ladies In Racing Magazine Handicap, a rating 0-82 event for mares on the Lakeside circuit.
“The God’s Owns haven’t set the world on fire yet, but I’m very happy with this mare and she worked really well on Saturday morning,” Warren said.
“She’s a really progressive type and looks a good chance.”
Lady Rum Dum went through the yearling sale ring but was passed in and retained by her breeder Geoff Webb who races her.
She is out of the unraced Royal Academy mare Lyford who is a half-sister to Toledo, the triple Group One winner of the VRC Newmarket Hcp, QTC Stradbroke Hcp and MVRC Australia Stakes.
Lady Rum Dum made a winning debut in a 1000m maiden at Donald in late July when she scored by 3-1/4 lengths and followed that up with a first-up 1-1/2-length victory in a rating 0-62 Hcp on her home at Mornington on December 9.
She completed the hat-trick in the $50,000 Ron Casey Memorial 0-72 Hcp (1200m) at Mornington on December 27.
Lady Rum Dum was very impressive, coming from second last of the 14 runners at the 400m to score by a half-length from Intreeg.
“She doesn’t have early speed and was run off her legs but the 1400 metres will suit her better,” Warren said.
“Michelle Payne rode her last time and said she gave her a good feel but Ben Melham goes back on tomorrow.”
Melham rode the mare at her second start but missed her last win as he was under suspension.
Warren worked 30 horses on Tuesday morning, taking eight to Balnarring and eight to Mornington while the rest went through their paces at his Denistoun Park property at Tuerong.
Melham rode stable star Bel Sprinter in a workout at Balnarring.
“He let him stride, he’s quite forward,” Warren said.
“He’ll have a barrier trial at Balnarring next week before he resumes at Caulfield on February 4.”
Warren has picked out the Listed WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) for his return.
“He’ll then go three weeks into the Oakleigh Plate,” the trainer said.
The Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) is at Caulfield on February 25.
Currently rated at 102, the Bel Esprit gelding won his first four starts from December 2010 through to August last year at Mornington (1000m), Moonee Valley (1000m), Flemington (1100m) and the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The four-year-old suffered his first defeat when runner-up to Lone Rock in the Group Three Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 3 after which he was spelled.
AAP TURF
