Lisdoonvarna has bounced back from an incident at Warwick Farm which threatened to derail her campaign with an impressive win at Rosehill.
The filly was a scratching 10 days ago after hurting herself when she lunged forward in the barrier and hit her head with co-trainer Amanda Turner crediting jockey Peter Wells for alerting the attendants.
“They were just about to let the field go and Peter quickly realised she was not right,” Turner said.
“He knows her really well and thank goodness they didn’t let her race. She had blood coming out of her nose after hitting her head.”
Wells’ affinity with the horses trained by Turner and Mauro Poletti at Warwick Farm paid dividends on Saturday when he steered her to a half-length win in the Poitrel Handicap (1400m) named after one of the recent inductees into the Hall of Fame.
Lisdoonvarna ($5.50), who raced up on the pace, beat the favourite Seaway ($3.60) who came from behind, with Gaulois ($5.50) another half neck third.
“She really prefers a wet track but Peter rode her well to cope with the firm ground,” Turner said.
“We would like to go to Brisbane with her and just hope it rains up there.
“There are plenty of 1350 to 400-metre races that would suit to get her some black-type which is the aim.
“We backed off her in the summer because she wasn’t coping with the heat and hopefully it pays off during the winter.”
