Trainer John Sargent has confirmed that Kirramosa will return to racing in the 2015 Liverpool City Cup at Warwick Farm on February 28 after she impressed with her effort in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick this morning.

Trainer John Sargent was happy with the barrier trial performance of 2013 Crown Oaks winner Kirramosa. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Kirramosa contested the third barrier trial of the morning over 1050 metres and she was settled just behind Excess Knowledge in the early stages before she showed an impressive turn-of-foot to run past her rival and hold-off talented sprinter Avoid Lightning in the final stages.

Sargent told Sky Racing HQ that he was thrilled with the performance of Kirramosa and he believes that she is ready to return to racing over a sprinting trip in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m).

“She went to the line nicely and she sprinted when he asked her,” Sargent said.

“We asked a bit of her today and she had a good blow.

“She is on the way back now and injury free.

“We will probably kick her off in a couple of weeks at Warwick Farm.

“We will move from there to a mile and up to 2000.

“We will run into The Championships and she will tell us what level she is at.

“She can stay if we have her back to her best that will be great.”

Kirramosa was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) and the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) that were all released by Racing New South Wales yesterday.

Another Sargent-trained galloper that is set to return to racing at Warwick Farm on February 28 is Crown Oaks runner-up Thunder Lady, who was given a quiet trial over 1050 metres at Royal Randwick this morning.

Thunder Lady has been set for the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11 and will return to racing in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm before contesting the Group 3 Keith Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 22 and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

“She has grown, is bigger and looks tremendous,” Sargent said.

“I don’t think that you will see the best of her until she is at least a mile or the 2000 of the Vinery because she is a real staying type and she doesn’t have the brilliance of Kirramosa.”

Thunder Lady is currently available at 2015 Australian Oaks odds of $11, while First Seal ($5) is a clear favourite from Set Square ($7) and Thinking Of You ($8).