By Neil Evans
Home trainer Lou Mary is eyeing off a double strike with two of his most exciting gallopers at Monday’s feature Scone meeting.
And for one of them it just might be the stepping stone into a country or provincial carnival scalp.
Home trainer Lou Mary is eyeing a double at Scone on Monday.Credit: Bradleyphotos.com.au
Open Pearly Gates, a big-striding four-year-old by group 1 mile winner Invader, has always promised plenty since catching the eye in a set of trials in early spring.
He should have won on debut at Dubbo when missing by a neck before being ridden quieter at Muswellbrook and despite laying in for much of the straight; again stormed home to miss by a long neck as a heavily backed odds-on favourite.
But he got back on better terms with punters returning to Dubbo and easily claiming his maiden over 1400m after tracking the speed.
Now Mary steps him up to a Benchmark 58 Hcp over the mile, with Robbie Downey back in the saddle.
Earlier the stable resumes smart four-year-old mare Star Bling for only her third start in a competitive BM 58 Hcp over 1000m, with Ashley Morgan in the saddle.
The daughter of Star Turn hasn’t been seen since early June when flashing home from the back to miss narrowly in a CL1 at Dubbo in heavy ground.
Prior to that, she had made a winning debut, finishing best from just off the speed in a handy maiden at Tamworth when backed into $2.70 favourite.
Capable of running big closing sectional times, Star Bling was given an easy trial at home 12 days ago, and has reportedly been working well either side of that. And bred to relish soft ground, she may get a further boost with showers forecast.
Her trainer is also on the fresh side, coming off a week without a runner, but prior to that Mary collected three consecutive wins, including a double at Muswellbrook, with Bold Love in a Class 1 and Off The Scale landing her Maiden.
Ironically, though, he hasn’t won on his home track since late August.
Supplied by Racing NSW
