Latest News

By Ray Hickson

The Sydney lifestyle is agreeing with consistent mare La Chevalee and there’s every indication from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable that she can repeat her last start win at Randwick on Saturday.

Jack Bruce, Warwick Farm foreman for Maher and Eustace, said the four-year-old is showing no negative signs as she lines up for her third run in July in the ATC Thanks Frontline Workers Handicap (1800m).

That’s because since she arrived in Sydney last month La Chevalee has had a routine that’s been good for her mind and body.

“She’s not a mare who takes a lot of work,’’ Bruce said.

“She often has a few days in the paddock after a run to relax and one gallop between runs. Basically we keep her happy and well and she’s been doing the rest on the track.

“She’s adapted to the Sydney lifestyle well, which they do because it’s the same system, and it’s good to have her here. She’s been a nice horse to have here over the winter.”

La Chevalee was ridden somewhat conservatively in her first two Sydney starts, moreso in her second, and Bruce said that was in part due to barrier draws and to the view that her best efforts are when saved up for one run.

La Chevalee wins at Randwick on July 17

That all changed when she drew barrier one and stepped up to 1800m at Randwick two weeks ago and she produced the race's fastest last 600m (37.61) and last 200m (12.93, Punter's Intelligence) in her two length win.

Bruce said while she rises 2.5kg after Tom Sherry’s claim, in part due to coming back to fillies and mares grade, having drawn barrier three should present the opportunity to get the perfect run once again which will help offset the switch from a heavy to good track.

“When she came up here and performed so well they decided to leave her here,’’ he said.

“It’s good prizemoney here in NSW, if you have horses in good form working their way through the grades it’s a good place to be.

“A good track is something to have a reservation about because she’s raced so well on rain affected surfaces. But when she’s racing so well it’s something you have to do.

“We’ve liked to ride her quietly and she’s often finished off best when she’s ridden quietly but the good draws allow us to sit closer without doing more work.

“All things being equal she should run another big race.”

La Chevalee was $2.50 favourite with TAB on Friday to repeat her last start performance.

Saturday runners are limited from the Warwick Farm stable at the moment as it’s become something of a nursery with Bruce currently overseeing the development of plenty of the Maher/Eustace stable’s rising two-year-olds.

“We have a lot of babies in at the moment, some of those will find their way to the early trials and races,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting