Three-year-old filly Lady’s Coup makes her debut at Nowra on Saturday with high expectations.
Trained by John Cornell at Cobbitty, Lady’s Coup tackles the Prime Television Maiden (1000m) with veteran Canberra premiership-winning jockey Kevin Sweeney in the saddle.
The daughter of Haayil out of Zabeel mare Solanas is raced and bred by Bob Ruttley’s Shipton Lodge Racing syndicate.
Ruttley purchased Solanas at a dispersal sale.
“We’re hoping she can kick off with a win under her belt and go on to better quality races,” Cornell said.
“It doesn’t always work out that way but we think she’s a filly with ability.”
Cornell said Lady’s Coup was given plenty of time early to mature.
“Typical of the Haayil breed, they can’t be rushed early,” Cornell said.
“She’s a nice strong filly, not big but a quiet, sensible type who has continued to develop.
“She’s a definite sprinting type even though she’s from a Zabeel mare.”
In her first preparation, Lady’s Coup trialled fairly at Warwick Farm in late July then was immediately turned out.
This preparation, the filly indicated her improvement by winning an 800m trial at the same track on December 15.
“She wasn’t asked to do much in her first preparation. This time in though she’s come along in leaps and bounds,” Cornell said.
“She’s got good natural speed and settled just off the pace in her trial before hitting the line good.
“The trial has really brought her on.
“Her subsequent work’s been good.”
Lady’s Coup has drawn barrier three and Cornell expects the filly, who is listed as a $5 chance in early markets, to be prominent throughout.
AAP TURF
