Trainer Kelso Wood will consider paying the late nomination fee for the Group One TJ Smith in June following Lucky Morna’s commanding victory at Eagle Farm.
Aided by a copybook ride from Chris Munce, Lucky Morna broke through for her first win when downing Paladin by 3-1/4 lengths in Saturday’s Becks Handicap (1200m).
Easy Successful was a further two lengths away third.
Lucky Morna, a daughter of Ferocity, sat fourth most of the way before Munce peeled her out in the straight where she powered home in the heavy conditions to score easily.
Wood plans to target the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4 with the filly.
“She’ll run in the Sires but I didn’t nominate her for the TJ Smith,” Wood said.
“I might have to pay a late entry for that race now.”
The Group One TJ Smith (1600m) will be run on Stradbroke Handicap day at Eagle Farm on June 11.
Wood has always held a good opinion of Lucky Morna who finished strongly for third to Amber’s Crown over 1010 metres at Doomben at her previous start on April 9.
“She’s been thrown in at the deep end,” Wood said.
“She never went to a maiden when she started off and went straight into the city.
“Chris rode her confidently and she travelled beautifully for him.”
Prior to her win, Lucky Morna had never raced over 1200 metres and both Wood and Munce are confident she’ll get further.
However, Munce believes Lucky Morna still needs to improve to be a genuine chance in the bigger winter carnival races.
“The 1200 metres really suited her and she’ll be even better the further she goes,” Munce said.
“She struggled to show speed in her first two runs over short trips but she was really switched on today.
“She needs to improve a couple more lengths for the bigger races but she’s headed the right way.”
AAP TURF