Pakenham-based trainer Reece Goodwin remains optimistic that this campaign might help Lovelycut regain her form on the winners’ list.
The four-year-old is back for the Geoff Murphy Handicap (1200m) this Saturday, with no definite targets mapped out yet, though a solid showing in her return could direct her to the Adelaide carnival.
With limited starts under her belt, Lovelycut has consistently displayed strong talent. She secured a victory at Sandown towards the end of her two-year-old year, then came back in spring to place runner-up at Listed grade, come home fourth in the Vanity Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, and end up midfield, just under three lengths off the victor, in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
Allowed a break to develop, she bypassed her autumn three-year-old schedule and came back for three outings last spring, finishing with a triumph over 1400m at Seymour.
Goodwin mentioned satisfaction with the mare’s condition upon her latest return.
“Off the back of last prep where she won over 1400 metres, she’s going to be suited at 1400 and 1600 this time around and Saturday is a good kick-off for her,” Goodwin said.
“She could have run in one of the 1100-metre races at Flemington last week, but I just thought 1200 would be a better kick off for her.
“She’s probably not as sharp as she was when she was a two-year-old, three-year-old and it looks a competitive race on Saturday as well, but she’s pretty good fitness wise.
“She’s there to run really well.”
Goodwin noted that Lovelycut has grown into a more robust and seasoned mare ready for racing challenges.
As winter nears, strategic race selection will be essential.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do through the winter,” he said.
“(The) Adelaide carnival could be on the radar depending on how she goes Saturday.
“If she was to win, or run really strongly, we would have to give strong consideration to that because she would go into the mid-80’s ratings wise, but there’s no set plans.
“She’s a highly-strung mare, so travelling her would take a bit out of her, so we want to make sure if we were to go there, it was worthwhile.”
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