Improving mare Run For Layla steps up for her moment of truth in Sunday’s $28,000 Murwillumbah Cup.
By design, the Patinack Farm-owned four-year-old has been patiently handled in her 17-start career which has netted three wins including an impressive last-start effort over 2200m at the Gold Coast on June 4.
By Galileo, Run For Layla gained a great deal of confidence from her last-start win, Patinack head trainer John Thompson suggested.
“She’s back in form and the win will do her confidence the world of good,” Thompson said.
“She’s by Galileo and you’ve got to take your time with the breed. They generally get better with age.
“She’s coming through her grades, a wet tracker and can race forward.
“It (the 2000m Murwillumbah Cup) looks a nice little race for her.”
This campaign, which began in late March, Run For Layla has slowly raced her way into fitness and form.
Sunday marks the first Murwillumbah Cup runner for Patinack, headed by mining magnate Nathan Tinkler, and Thompson.
Run For Layla is an imposing mare, standing 16 hands-plus.
“She’s a big mare who is enjoying a staying preparation,” Thompson said.
“Lots of long pacework, staying stuff.
“We’re hoping she can develop further. We’ll know more after Sunday.”
Star Gold Coast rider Daniel Griffin partners the mare.
“Daniel knows her well, that’s a plus,” Thompson said.
Based at Patinack’s Queensland satellite stable, Run For Layla has enough pace to put herself in a prominent position early which is vital at Murwillumbah.
And a win for the mare would make it back-to-back victories for Queenslanders after Rebounded won last year.
Queenslanders dominate the Cup market with the Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained topweight Shooting Scene, a closing third to Gold Rating and Ausworld over 1666m at Ipswich last Saturday, favourite at $4.50 ahead of Santa De Lago, prepared by Les Kelly, at $5.50 and Run For Layla at $6.
AAP TURF
