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By Ray Hickson

It’s a random but far from unprecedented step for the Malua Racing team to venture to the Central Coast with Group 2 winning mare Lady In Pink out to give the stable back-to-back wins in Saturday’s $500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford.

Lady In Pink's co-trainer Will Larkin.

A year ago Magnaspin won the feature, when run at Newcastle, for Leon and Troy Corstens and their new co-trainer Will Larkin, who was elevated into the partnership this season, says Lady In Pink is a horse not to be underestimated.

The four-year-old hasn’t started in single figures in seven starts in 2024/25 but she’s won a Tristarc Stakes and recorded three more placings up to Group 2 level including last start’s narrow defeat in the Queen Of The South (1600m) at Morphettville.

Larkin said The Coast is an opportunity for Lady In Pink to break up a trip to Queensland and is adamant she’s a potential Group 1 performer in the making.

“We’re thinking we want to get her to a Caulfield Cup in the spring so this prep was about giving her a few runs and working out the prep run by run,’’ Larkin said.

“It probably only gets to four runs then she gets a break.

“After Morphettville we decided maybe Queensland might be on the agenda for her so we thought we’d look for something on the way up. This race fell into our hands at the right time.

“We have a very high opinion of her, I think she is a very good horse and she keeps improving.

“I don’t think she has too much to go physically but mentally each time she goes out and comes back she’s better.”

Lady In Pink, $9 with TAB on Wednesday, had to do some work up on the pace when run down late by Zloties in Adelaide and Larkin said it’s typical of her never give up attitude.

With her 102 rating she carries top weight of 58kg in The Coast as she aims to be the first filly or mare to win the Central Coast’s richest race.

“I think she gets in quite well with that weight and if any rain came it would be more of a positive,’’ he said.

“I like the race for her and she’s going in with a very good chance.

“The prizemoney is attractive and it’s quite limited for three and four-year-olds over a mile so it looks a good option. She’s going really well, we’re looking forward it.”

Larkin said Lady In Pink has the ability to make good use of barrier four as it will give Adam Hyeronimus options to be wherever the mare is comfortable.

“The draw is really good for her to go forward and get a good run,’’ he said.

PHOTO FINISH! 📷

Zloties dips and dives to win the Queen Of The South Stakes!@JChilds47 @Grahame_Begg pic.twitter.com/SrxHRjGgA0

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 26, 2025

Lady In Pink's second at Morphettvile (Video: 7HorseRacing)

“It’s advantageous for her to sit anywhere, she’s done it all before.

“She sat three wide no cover at Flemington one time over 2000m and still managed to win. She just tries no matter where you put her.

“If I was to pick anywhere it’d be just behind the leaders to give her a bit of cover to finish off that bit stronger.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Gosford meeting