Tulloch Lodge will be out to showcase the depth of its staying ranks when unheralded Laidback Larry resumes at Randwick on Saturday.
In a stable that is home to the Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer and a leading Cox Plate chance in Carlton House, it’s hardly surprising Laidback Larry struggles for profile.
But that could be about to change as he makes an early return to racing as most of his more glamorous stablemates complete their spring foundation in barrier trials next week.
Waterhouse gave Laidback Larry her blessing to start his campaign over 1600m not long after her return overseas.
“Gai was back last week in time to look at him and she is happy enough to kick him off this week,” stable spokesman Mark Newnham said.
Laidback Larry boasts an almost 50 per cent winning strike rate, with five victories in 11 starts.
The four-year-old will be stepping out for the first time since two unplaced Melbourne runs, including a well-beaten effort in the Mornington Cup.
“Melbourne didn’t really work out for him,” Newnham said.
“It could have been a combination of things. He went up in grade and he had a trip away.”
The natural front-runner could have also been missing the jockey who was in the saddle for two Sydney wins before going south.
“He’s a horse that likes to go along at a good gallop and he never got that opportunity down there,” Newnham said.
“Adam Hyeronimus is riding him on Saturday and his form is really good for Adam.”
Newnham said Laidback Larry appealed as a likely type for a shot at the Wyong and Newcastle Gold Cups.
“He’s typical of the O’Reilly breed in that he’s a late maturer,” he said.
“But he might be a similar horse to (the stable’s 2010 Metropolitan winner) Herculian Prince or something like that at the same stage. He’s got a similar racing style.”
Waterhouse’s Randwick representation will be kept to a minimum but Newnham expects last-start winner Pajaro to figure again for Josh Parr.
