Last season’s Group 3 Granny Smith winner, Spot Ruler, will make her racetrack return in the Nutrien Ag Supplies Stakes (2200m) in Launceston on Sunday evening.
The five-year-old daughter of Huntsville has won four of her 12-career starts, and she will have her first start since running second in Hobart on 12 January.
“It’s been a while, and we hope that she is ready to go.
“It’s not an ideal race to be running in, but there weren’t many options,” said the mare’s trainer, John Castles.
Castles has given the pacer two trials in the lead-up to Sunday’s race, the most recent being a 4.9m win at Carrick Park on Monday afternoon, with John’s nephew Charlie taking the drive on that occasion. Charlie will be in the sulky again on Sunday.
“She was better in the second trial than in her first (on 7 April), so she is heading in the right direction.
“The trial wasn’t that fast, so we hope that she is forward enough.
The trainer doesn’t have any plans for the mare this time in.
“We will just take it as it comes.
Another runner John will take to the races on Sunday is Blue Label, who lines up in the Faithful Park Stud Pace (2200m).
The Sweet Lou gelding had 565 days away from the track and has won one race from three starts since resuming.
“We decided to give him a decent spell.
“I thought he ran alright last start (when third on 19 April), and I expect him to go well again. He has drawn well. It’s not an easy race, but he should be up with them.
Connections have opted to utilise the concession claim of driver Lachlan Dakin.
