It was thought London’s Image had come to the end of a long and successful campaign, stretching six months, after last Saturday week’s Magic Millions 3YO Trophy, but Hill had a change of heart.
“That was the plan, give her a good break after being up for so long, but she was just doing too good,” Ryan Hill said.
“She flew to Melbourne on Thursday and we’ll look at a couple of races across the weekend, there are a few options for her.
“Plan A was to go out after the Magic Millions, but she pulled up so well.
“She is just a tough filly who takes it all.”
After winning second up at Bunbury in September, London’s Image’s career trajectory has skyrocketed.
Although not a one-trick pony, her frontrunning tactics and the tenacity and determination she exhibits, has won her an army of new fans.
She came under the stakes spotlight in the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m), leading all the way and ran close seconds in the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and Lee Steere Classic (1400m).
Off a short break she came back and collected consecutive wins, including a second Listed victory in the Breeders’ Classic before an agonising second in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy.
In a dramatic build up to the $250,000 race, Hill lost regular jockey Brad Parnham to injury after he fell from his mount King’s Salute when passing the winning post earlier in the day.
London’s Image, who shifted out considerably in the straight, a trait that is part of her make up, was run down by Smooth Chino and went down by a long neck.
Hill rues the loss.
“She lost no admirers in defeat,” Hill said.
“It was just unfortunate what happened to Brad.
“She’s a hard horse to ride and she drew a terrible barrier.”
Parnham, fresh from his Pinjarra Classic victory on Snowdome, said he would welcome the opportunity of partnering London’s Image in Melbourne.
“She’s going to be nominated for a couple of races on Friday and Saturday,” Parnham said.
“We’ll take a look at the noms and assess what’s the best option for her.
“I would be keen to go over.
“I was pretty devastated after what happened last week.
“I thought she was a very good chance in the race (Magic Millions 3YO Trophy) and would have loved to have ridden her.
“If things sort of line up, I wouldn’t mind heading over.”
London’s Image holds a nomination in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday and the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
