Lyre capable of recapturing best form in G1 Sangster Stakes

Savatiano has raced four times in her current preparation, winning first-up and then putting in a strong effort when second to The Bostonian in the G1 Canterbury Stakes

A significant gear change and some “enormous” work on the training track has injected new confidence in the prospects of classy 3YO filly Lyre in Saturday’s G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.

Lyre, the 2019 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner, hasn’t won since that success, but co-trainer Sam Freedman is satisfied she can amend the record.

The Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) boasts a total prize pool of $600,000 and is for fillies and mares and is run under weight-for-age conditions.

“She’ll have the blinkers on for the first time, which we’re hoping will help her focus and give her that little bit extra.”

“She worked enormous in the blinkers this week, so we’re pretty happy going into a race which is strong at the top but probably tails off fairly quickly.”

Lyre (Damian Thornton), who is joined in the Sangster by Godolphin runner Savatiano (Jason Holder), has been in contention at each of her three starts this time in, the most recent a fourth placing in open company in a Listed race at Caulfield two weeks ago.

Savatiano has raced four times in her current preparation, winning first-up and then putting in a strong effort when second to The Bostonian in the G1 Canterbury Stakes.

“Her run in the Canterbury Stakes was a personal best, but she’s had a few things go against her since then,” said Darren Beadman, assistant to trainer James Cummings.

“The heavy track didn’t suit her at all last start, so it can be overlooked.”

Cummings also runs Asiago in the G1 Australasian Oaks on the same Morphettville card, along with Tenley (Jake Toeroek) in the G2 Euclase Stakes and the trio of Trekking (John Allen), Viridine (Jason Holder) and Home Of The Brave (Barend Vorster) in the G3 D C Mackay Stakes.

Asiago has revealed Group-level ability in a career that includes five wins, but is unproven at the 2,000m of the Oaks.

“She needs all the favours she can get if she’s going to run out the trip,” Beadman said.

“From the wide gate there’ll be no choice but to go back and get her relaxed.”

Tenley began her latest preparation with one of her best performances when second to Ms Catherine in the G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley and again ran well when fourth in the G2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington before a last start ninth over 1,100m here two weeks ago.

“She had to go back from the wide gate here last start. She ran on, but just had too much to do,” Beadman said.

“She only has to run up to what she did at Moonee Valley three runs back to be right in this.”

Trekking runs in the Mackay on his way to next month’s G1 Goodwood Handicap with stable confidence high in a colt having the third run of his current preparation.

“His second-up run was tremendous and he’s continued to work nicely in Melbourne since then.”

“He’ll have to give weight to the rest of the field, but he’s a G1 winner who has the ability to be competitive in any race.”

Stable companion Viridine has taken improvement from his first-up run and is favourably drawn.

“He’s trimmed up nicely since he finished fourth behind Gytrash and Sunlight here last start,” Beadman said.

Home Of The Brave finished third in the same race and is also capable of improvement.

“He showed all of his natural speed here two weeks ago, but the two who finished in front of him were a bit sharper.”

“He’s at his best when he can control the speed and build momentum.”

“From a good draw, he should be able to do that.”

Meanwhile, the first Saturday in May usually marks the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. But the Kentucky Derby won’t be run in May for the first time since 1945, instead pushed back four months to Labor Day weekend.

Churchill Downs will conduct a virtual running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday that will feature computer simulations of the sport’s 13 Triple Crown winners.