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If work is anything to go by Warwick Farm trainer David Vandyke is expecting a bold showing from Lamasery this Saturday when he rises in trip for the Group 2 Hill Stakes.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Lamasery galloped well this morning at Warwick Farm and will no doubt go into Saturday's Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) as one of the favourites.
“His work this morning was exceptional,” trainer David Vandyke said.
“He has recovered very well. Looking at him now he is in a lovely relaxed headspace.
“His breathing, his heart were each really satisfactory this morning after the gallop so I'm optimistic he can step forward from the mile up to the 2000m and just improve that little bit more.”
The six-year-old has come back from a lengthy injury enforced spell in ideal fashion with two strong performances in the Warwick Stakes (3rd) and the Chelmsford Stakes (4th).
Vandyke believes Lamasery will be aided by returning to Randwick with his last run at the track a third in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m).
“Randwick is a better track for him,” Vandyke told Sky Sports Radio.
“He should of won the Metropolitan, he was very unlucky, he nearly fell at the 600m but he picked himself up to run third.
“Even his galloping action suggests that Randwick is the type of course that should suit him and I'm really looking forward to Saturday.”
Lamasery emerged as a Group horse last campaign claiming a pair of Group 3 successes in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and the Colin Stephen (2400m).
He also added a minor placing in the Metropolitan however a case could be made the son of Commands has returned in better order this spring.
“Last preparation he would do his work and do his work well but as soon as the rider would drop his hands he'd slow up pretty quick and within a furlong or two he was just going at a leisurely canter,” Vandyke said.
“Peter Robl rode him this morning and he hit the line strong. When Peter dropped his hands he wanted to pick up and continue on with the gallop. That is a great sign.”
Vandyke is currently aiming Lamasery at the Metropolitan and from there will consider heading to Melbourne for a tilt at the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Another runner from the Vandyke stable converging on Melbourne will be new acquisition Miss Marx.
The Anabaa mare produced one of her best career runs last Saturday when finishing second behind More Joyous in the Listed Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
“We looked up at the semaphore board after the race and saw her name up between those two great mares and we were over the moon,” Vandyke said.
“She will head to Melbourne Thursday night and run in a Listed Handicap Sunday week at Caulfield provided she travels done okay and we're happy with her.”