Star freshman filly Park Life has returned to Queensland.
The last start winner of the Gr.1 $322,000 Australian Pacing Gold 2yo Fillies Final at TABCORP Park, Menangle defeating Perfect Sense and Petacular hasn’t raced since claiming the feature last April owing to injury.
Sent to Victoria by connections for further analysis at the Ballarat Equine Centre, the pint-sized filly has been given the green light to resume training.
The Rock N Roll Heaven – Strawbs Interact filly arrived back at the stables of Vicki Rasmussen and Shane Graham across the weekend.
“It’s great to see Nelly (Park Life) again, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for her in recent times so it’s great to have her back in the stable. We’re thrilled with the way she looks and we’re very optimistic about her making a full recovery and returning to the racetrack.” Graham said.
Initial reports revealed she was suffering from shin soreness but upon further investigation, the filly was diagnosed with cartilage damage to her knees.
While no firm plans have been mapped out, the obvious target will be upcoming Queensland winter carnival at Albion Park during the month of July.
The Gr.2 $75,000 Queensland Oaks is scheduled for July 8.
“Given what this filly has gone through in recent months we won’t be making any concrete plans with her, we’ll just take it day by day and hopefully she can tell us that she’s ready for the better races in time to come.
“It would be great to think she would be ready for the Queensland Oaks among other features but it’s unfair to say she’ll be ready for such features. There is no pressure from our end to rush her back for these features; we won’t force the issue with her.
“We know she’s good enough to race against the best, she proved that last season when successful in the APG Final defeating the likes of Petacular and others so it’s just a matter of hoping she returns to that type of form.”
Last season Park Life was prepared by Shane’s father Wayne.
Park Life is yet to miss the board in six starts, winning 3 while being placed in the other 3 efforts while banking more than $168,000 in prizemoney.
The filly is raced by Steve Dickson and Pete Poulsen.
