Trainer Robert Smerdon has confirmed that the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap is an option for Lumosty after she returned to racing with an impressive victory in the All Victorian Sprint Series (1100m) at Flemington on May 9.
Lumosty remains a chance of contesting the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Lumosty was having her first race start since she finished sixth behind Set Square in the 2014 edition of the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 6 last year and she defied a betting drift to score an impressive three lengths victory.
Chris Parnham steered Lumosty to victory in the All Victorian Sprint Series and the rising hoop said that he was very impressed with the performance of the Fastnet Rock filly and would love to partner her during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
“She obviously has above average ability, but she sort of had to get a bit of luck and a bit of room,” Parnham told Racing Ahead this morning.
“She got tightened up a couple of times in the straight, but she was good enough to overcome that she was a little bit too good for them.
“I was always pretty confident and I just had to wait for a gap.
“If I was going to get the gap, I was always confident that she was going to win.
“When I asked her to go she really extended and she couldn’t have been more impressive.
“The race was run at a good tempo, she gave me a really good feel and it didn’t really surprise me that we ran such a quick time.
“I was happy enough to ride her on Saturday.
“I would love to ride her again if that was possible, but I don’t know where that sits.”
The Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on June 6 and the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at the Gold Coast on June 20 were set to be the major winter targets for Lumosty, but Smerdon told News Limited yesterday that he could still run the talented filly in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6.
“The original plan was to run up the straight over 1200m at Flemington again in a fortnight and then head north,” Smerdon said.
“We were thinking the Dane Ripper would be her next run, but I spoke to the owner (Phil Sly) on Saturday night and we agreed to keep the Stradbroke, which is run on the same day, open as an option.”
Lumosty is currently available at 2015 Stradbroke Handicap odds of $15 with Ladbrokes, while Srikandi ($8) remains a narrow favourite from Charlie Boy ($10), Knoydart ($10), Lucky Hussler ($10) and Our Boy Malachi ($12).
