Gold Coast trainer Les Kelly will let talented mare Skating On Ice determine her own future after she makes her comeback at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Kelly has no plans yet to take on southern rivals but indicated a trip interstate could be on the horizon if she rediscovers her best form in the DPMA Class 6 Handicap (1200m).
“Nothing has been planned for her yet,” Kelly said.
“I want to see how she goes on Saturday first then we’ll get a better guide with her.
“There a class six for fillies and mares coming up in two weeks and three weeks later there’s a $100,000 fillies and mares Quality race she can run in here.
“At the moment there’s a few races here for her and we can look at taking her away later if she races well in them.”
Skating On Ice underlined her ability with three successive city wins at the start of the year which enticed Kelly to aim her for the Brisbane winter carnival.
However, after a short let-up Skating On Ice failed to regain winning form in three winter appearances although she was placed at Group level.
A daughter of 2005 Magic Millions winner Bradbury’s Luck, Skating On Ice has not started since finishing 11th to Steps In Time in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4.
At her previous start she was beaten just over two lengths when fourth to Falino in the Group Three BTC Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 21 which followed her third to Military Rose in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) two weeks earlier.
Kelly has given Skating On Ice two barrier trials at the Gold Coast ahead of her comeback and expects her to make significant improvement after her return.
“She hasn’t been in work that long but she’s forward enough to run well first-up,” Kelly said.
“Whatever happens on Saturday she’s going to improve a lot after the run.”
Glen Colless has been booked to partner Skating On Ice for the first time.
Meanwhile, Kelly is hoping Chilled can go close to winning Saturday’s Superior Pak Open Handicap (2112m).
Chilled was transferred from Maryann Thexton in April last year and has won three times in 18 starts for Kelly.
“He was kicked by another horse while he was spelling and broke his jaw,” Kelly said.
“It didn’t require surgery but it’s taken him a long time to get him going again and regain his confidence.”
Chilled indicated he was close to another win with two recent city placings.
The six-year-old’s last win was when he followed up his Lismore Cup victory with success over 2100 metres at Eagle Farm in October last year.
AAP TURF
