Trainer Robbie Laing has confirmed that Lord Of The Sky will return to racing in the Group Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 15th.
Lord Of The Sky is set for a racing return in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes on Saturday-week. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Plagued by injury through much of his racing career to date, Lord Of The Sky has undoubtedly been the enigma of Laing’s Cranbourne operation in recent seasons and most notably finished an agonizingly-close second to Chautauqua in the 2015 edition of the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Thrilled with the Danerich entire’s performance in a Cranbourne barrier trial on Monday morning, Laing is optimistic will return to quality and competitive form during his forthcoming racing campaign.
“This morning he’s run 44 and change,” Laing told Racing Victoria.
“He went as good, if not better than I thought he might. I thought he might’ve been a bit rusty. He began OK, he quickly took up the lead as you’d expect.
“I said to Damien (Oliver) just look after him, give him a soft trial. Typical of the horse, he just knows one speed – flat out. And he sat against him, and he’s won by four or five lengths, and looked like the Lord Of the Sky of old.”
After failing to find the horse an appropriate home following his most-recent campaign, Laing confirmed that the major goal with Lord Of The Sky is still to secure a stud deal.
“Harry Mitchell (Yarraman Park) showed a lot of interest in him, because he had a similar racing record as I Am Invincible – won the Monash, won the Bletchingly, and run second in a Goodwood, beaten an inch in a TJ Smith,” Laing said.
“Group 1 performer, but just missed out on winning a Group 1.
“We had a lot of people wanting to stand him, but we were more keen to sell him on.”
Lord Of The Sky made his competitive debut for Laing during the winter of 2013 and has subsequently posted a commendable race record of six wins and five minors through twenty-five career starts, for more than $1 million in prize money.
Nominations for the 2017 Sir John Monash Stakes are due to be taken and released by midday, Monday July 10th.
