Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Jockey Robbie Dolan believes the addition of blinkers to Lucknow Lady can do the trick at Kembla Grange on Thursday but he’d be even more confident if he could get an assurance that she’ll relish the heavy ground.

Dolan rides the Mark Newnham-trained filly in all her work and since the blinkers have gone on he’s seen a sharpness that wasn’t there before.

Lucknow Lady has finished fourth at both her starts, the latest on the Kensington track on June 10, and will be out to get on the board in the Purry Burry Point Plate (1500m).

“She’s come a long way in a short space of time but she is really sharpened up since that last run,’’ Dolan said.

“It’s a similar race, a couple of horses that were in that race are there again and she only needs a little improvement to beat them so hopefully she can get the job done.

“The blinkers will help her midrace, she seems to be hitting the line well but midrace she is on and off the bridle.’’

Dolan, soon to be crowned Sydney’s champion apprentice for the season, said with a little uncertainty about how Lucknow Lady will travel on heavy ground he’d like to have her in a striking position.

Lucknow Lady runs fourth at Kensington on June 10

She’s $3.90 second elect with TAB behind Betty Blooms ($2.40), who finished about a neck in front her at Randwick last start and Dolan said she’s the best of his seven Kembla rides.

“I’m looking forward to seeing her up to 1500m, a heavy track will be a question mark but she is working well,’’ Dolan said.

“I’m expecting (Betty Blooms) to lead again, I’ll try to have her in the first four or five. On a heavy track at Kembla you don’t want to be too far back.

“If she gets into the clear hopefully she lets down like she has in her work recently. She doesn’t have to improve a lot to beat that crowd.’’

A heavy track failure back in October hangs over stablemate Morpheus but Dolan said he’s hoping the decision to geld the three-year-old will pay off.

Morpheus resumes in the Boomberry Point Handicap (1200m) at $7.50 with TAB and with a recent trial win under his belt.

“His last trial was good but he’s pretty clever,’’ Dolan said.

“Probably too clever for his own good but he definitely has the ability. The heavy is a question mark.

“If the right horse shows up on the day, hopefully he has some freshness in his legs, he should have a little squeak.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Kembla Grange meeting