Eagle Farm trainer David Murphy has taken a hands-on approach to monitoring the progress of his latest stable addition in veteran Mighty Lucky.
Mighty Lucky is a 10-year-old but Murphy has high hopes he will measure up to some of the stakes races during the Brisbane summer carnival.
The gelding makes his return to Brisbane after three years in the BRC Membership Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Mighty Lucky was a great performer for the late Fred Cowell, winning nine races and more than $850,000 for the Gosford trainer.
The gelding has had several NSW trainers since Cowell’s death in 2017 but owner Greg Anderson decided the gelding might be suited these days in Brisbane.
He sent Mighty Lucky to Murphy who is noted for monitoring his team by riding them in trackwork.
A former champion apprentice, Murphy believes that by riding trackwork he knows exactly how well his horses are going.
Murphy rode Mighty Lucky on Tuesday morning and was pleased with the way the gelding went to the line.
“He felt really good. He isn’t getting any younger but he still has a bit of fire about him,” Murphy said.
“He has had two recent runs in NSW and he was only beaten three-and-a-bit lengths when midfield in the (Group Three) Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
“I have given a bit of a freshen so I suppose it will depend on what type of luck he has in the run on Saturday.
“But he has drawn a nice barrier in five so hopefully things will work out.”
Murphy said Mighty Lucky would head to the Mooloolaba Cup (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday fortnight.
“He had some really good form at 1600m including winning the Lord Mayors Cup at Doomben,” Murphy said.
“And if you have a good look through his form he has run well against some really good horses over the years.”
