Latest News

Tony Megahey

Miss Thatcher was primed but everything went against her when scratched from last week’s TAB Highway, however, the racing fortunes have aligned for a return as favourite for a Royal Randwick Highway episode on Saturday.

It was then the three-year-old filly drew barrier 21, unfavourably weighted conceding age and experience, so accomplished training veteran Tim Martin logically delayed running her for precisely seven days.

Miss Thatcher (Adam Hyeronimus) cruises home at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

Indicating Miss Thatcher ($3.60 favourite on TAB) is 'all systems go' off an impressive Goulburn win, she now has the coveted barrier one and a 3kg claim from 56kg for Amy McLucas into the Class 2, 1400m.

Airborne, Amy McLucas won her sixth Highway, that very race last week that Miss Thatcher missed when she was aboard Acappella Sun.

Naturally named after the late great Margaret Thatcher, from Irish sire Churchill, the filly is part-owned by Lucy Longmire of Goulburn’s Twin Star racing with her sister Emma.

Amy was originally apprenticed to the Longmires from Moruya and is now on loan to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

The Longmire’s are pre-trainers and breakers for Martin and educated Miss Thatcher when Amy rode her regularly.

“I’ve been on her a few times, in work and one race before she spelled, not a lot of her but really smart, they’ve always had an opinion of her,” Amy enthused after riding at Canterbury Park on Wednesday, and on her first day residing in Sydney.

“I haven’t had a chance to do the form yet, but she’s got gate speed, the soft draw so obviously we go forward.

“Her last win was really impressive at home. That says she’s come back stronger and more mature.

“And Tim always has them where they need to be raceday.”

Amy is a rapidly rising talent, so all involved have high hopes for Miss Thatcher.

She was a dominant first-up at Goulburn over 1200m in fast time recently at $1.55. And also, a runaway Wagga Wagga win at $1.75 last preparation on heavy.

That resulted in her contesting a Highway. She was on-pace for an encouraging two-length sixth to Xtra Approval. But she's a far better filly now.

The extent of both her wins when odds-on emphasises the scope of improvement.

Amy was well aware of Miss Thatcher accepting last week with 56.5kg and drawing the outside barrier, when she was booked for Acappella Sun.

If there is a concern well found at short enough odds, it’s out to 1400m on the testing big track.

Headquarters at present is a Good 4 with some rain predicted for Thursday night and Friday morning.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here