Melbourne jockey Damian Lane enjoyed a lucrative riding spell in Japan earlier this year and celebrated two Group 1 winners during his stint there, one of them was aboard Lys Gracieux in the Takarazuka Kinen over 2200 metres.
Lane has been booked for the Cox Plate mount so we spoke to him about the Yoshito Yahagi-trained mare and it’s clear that he believes she will be a major force to be reckoned with at The Valley.
“She’s obviously a dual Group 1 winner and she is Group 1 placed twice in Hong Kong so she brings very solid form,” he said.
“She’s as good a horse as I’ve ridden and I’m sure she’s going to measure up extremely well.”
“She’s as good a horse as I’ve ridden and I’m sure she’s going to measure up extremely well.” – Damian Lane
Lys Gracieux has won five of her 20 starts from 1600 metres to 2200 metres and while The Valley will pose a lay-out she is far from used to after racing on the roomier courses she’s prospered on, Lane doesn’t see it as an issue.
“She’s very adaptable and she’s raced at a lot of tracks and run left and right-handed and she’s always performed well,” he said.
“I think she will adapt well and she’s going to have a gallop there next week. I guess we’ll know more then, but I’m sure she’ll handle it.”
He will partner Lys Gracieux, who has earned just shy of AU$9.5 million, when she works at The Valley next Wednesday morning.
Top Caulfield book
In the meantime, Lane will have a strong book of rides at Caulfield on Sunday, including three Group 1 chances. He will also partner exciting filly Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. off the back of her first-up success in the G3 Scarborough S.
“She’s exciting and her return was great at The Valley. I’m really looking forward to getting back on her,” Lane said.
Lane is excited to get back aboard Loving Gaby
Lane’s first shot at Group 1 glory on Saturday will be with the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) in the Schweppes Thousand Guineas.
“She’s been flying this preparation. She’s drawn barrier 11 so she’ll be going back and the blinkers go on so hopefully they will help her a little bit,” he said.
“Obviously, Flit looks awfully hard to beat, but my filly has been very honest and if she gets a run from the draw she can play a part.”
“Obviously, Flit looks awfully hard to beat, but my filly has been very honest and if she gets a run from the draw she can play a part.” – Damian Lane
Lane will ride Conqueror (Fastnet Rock) for the first time for Lindsay Park in the G1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas, and while it’s a step up for the colt he is genuine and has placed in both of his spring outings. He was a last-start third in the G2 Stutt S.
He then continues his association with Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s Madison County (NZ) (Pins) in the G1 Lamaro’s Hotel Sth Melbourne Toorak H. They were unplaced first-up in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke and in a run better than it may look on paper.
Lane hopes for a better run in the G1 Lamaro’s Hotel Sth Melbourne Toorak H. on Madison County (NZ)
“He was good and didn’t have much luck. Unfortunately, he’s got topweight and barrier 19 so that’s not going to help our cause,” Lane said.
“He seemed good this week, I’ve been on him twice so with even luck hopefully he can run a big race.”
Group 2 prospects
Lane also has two Group 2 chances with Madison County’s stablemate The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Ladbrokes Herbert Power S. and the Tony Pike-prepared The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) in the Alfa Romeo Schillaci S.
The Chosen One was a strong fifth in the G2 Feehan S. when resuming, but was under par when ninth in the G1 Underwood S.
Lane and The Chosen One (NZ) will pair for a step up in distance in the Ladbrokes Herbert Power S.
“I was disappointed with him. His return was great at The Valley. He’s in good order, but he was a bit flat the other day,” Lane said.
“The step up to 2400 metres should help him and he’s worked really well in the blinkers so hopefully that’s enough to sharpen him up.”
“The step up to 2400 metres should help him and he’s worked really well in the blinkers so hopefully that’s enough to sharpen him up.” – Damian Lane
The Bostonian was caught wide from a horror gate in the G1 Moir S. and in a softer assignment he has the chance to nail down a spot in the $14 million The TAB Everest with victory on Saturday.
“The Bostonian went super, really good return at The Valley. Barrier three and the step up to 1100 metres will suit him, minus Nature Strip it sets up well for him,” Lane said.
“Not that I didn’t think he couldn’t beat Nature Strip at 1100 metres, it’s just the tempo won’t be so quick so it will give a chance to travel and finish off. Trekking will be the favourite and The Bostonian has got good form around him in Queensland.”
Lane also partners Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) in the G3 Bass Strait Beef S. after riding her to victory last time out for trainer David Pfieffer at Caulfield.
“I’m going to be busy and there’s some handy ride there. It’s hard to win on these big days so hopefully I get some luck,” he said.
