3 minute read
Trainer Paul Murray is tipping the substantial drop in grade and rise in distance will suit staying mare Lady Redwood perfectly in Saturday's Illawarra Turf Club Benchmark 64 Handicap (2400m) at Kembla Grange.
Lady Redwood is dropping back from a 10th last start in the Listed-January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens last weekend to a winnable staying test on home turf this weekend.
The Redwood mare is rated a $6 chance on TAB to return to the winner's list with Murray expecting a bold showing from his staying five-year-old.
"A drop in grade and up in distance, she will love it," Murray said.
"I am very happy with her. She is probably getting to the end of her tether but there are a couple of races still there for her this prep anyway.
"It was a very good run the other day, we thought if it was 2400m she would have been right in the finish only getting beaten there by five lengths.
"She wants the ground so I just have to step her up."
Lady Redwood boasts a competitive record of two wins and seven placings from 20 starts and Murray adamant she can show her best now she's up in trip.
Jeff Penza will pilot Lady Redwood from barrier 12 for Saturday's staying event.
Paul Murray also has River Mac in the Kembla Grange Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) with Mikayla Weir booked to ride.
The All Too Hard gelding ran a credible fifth in the Moruya Cup last start and will step up over the mile (1600m) for the first time in his 27-start career deep into his preparation.
"It was a good run the other day, Brock (Ryan) said he was getting home nicely and he just needs the mile now," Murray said.
"This will be the first time over the mile but I have to start getting him up so we will start on Saturday.
"When I first got him he was a 1000m horse but the owners wanted to step him up and eventually get to a mile. He used to go very hard but he is starting to relax now which is good."
River Mac is an $8.50 chance while Murray's final runner Rebel Rosai is a $71 outsider in the Lindsay Evert 30th Provincial Class 1 (1300m). Murray concedes the Merchant Navy would need to lift off recent showings.
