16 October, 2003
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Newly crowned Australian Mare of the Year Nolarama (pictured)
makes her much-anticipated return to racing this Saturday night at Geelong.
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The explosive Melton pacer will clash with Sassy
Sarah, Croker, In The Queue and Sunset Soky in a star-studded $7000 Tuckers Funeral
Services Trophy.
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Her appearance at Beckley Park signals the start of a
feature race campaign aimed squarely at the $100,000 Ladyship Mile in Sydney on
21 November.
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"Everything's targeted at having her spot on for
the Ladyship Mile," driver John Caldow said.
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"She's come up terrific this time in and she'll
run a forward race on Saturday, but obviously she'll improve further with a
couple of runs under her belt.
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"She's had three trials, two at Kilmore and one
last week at Geelong."
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Her performance this weekend, and again at Moonee
Valley in a fortnight, will determine what path she takes in the lead-up to
Australia's premier mares sprint.
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If she excels, connections may decide to tackle the
'boys' in the $50,000 Campbells Cash & Carry Legends Mile on 7 November at
Moonee Valley.
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Alternately, she may be back at Geelong a day later
for the $8000 Mares Free For All, a noted Ladyship Mile stepping stone.
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A winner at 17 of her 26 starts, the Maree
Caldow-trained mare has not raced since an uncharacteristic failure in the
standing start Queen Of The Pacific on 24 May.
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In the weeks prior to that she had accounted for Sassy
Sarah, Jamin and Lagoon Lady in the Ladyship Cup and Angelique Club Cup, both
at Moonee Valley.
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Despite her lack of race fitness and a wider than
preferred draw (gate six), the daughter of Panorama has been installed a $3
nominal favourite.
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Fellow five-year-old mare Sassy Sarah ($3.20) is the
main danger despite starting from gate 10 under the preferential draw on
earnings.
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She was caught too far back in last week's Melton
Plate at Moonee Valley, but was noticed making solid ground late in
proceedings.
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She too will be out to create an early impression on
Ladyship Mile selectors.
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Caldow highlighted In The Queue ($6, gate five) as
another possible stumbling block.
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"I would have liked to have drawn inside
him....he does look the leader from the draw," he said.
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In The Queue was runner-up to Easy Dash last start
after toppling Victorian Horse of the Year Mont Denver Gold three starts back.
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Croker ($6.50, gate nine) will have a new pilot when
he steps out at Geelong.
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Six-time Australian driving champion Chris Alford
takes over the reins from Grant Campbell, who disappointed connections with his
drive in the Melton Plate.
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The $7000 Tuckers Funeral Services Trophy will be run
at 10pm (AET) on 18 October.
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