Last start Launceston winner What A Woman is one of two runners that Bridport-based trainer Kate Macleod will take to Launceston on Sunday night.
What A Woman, a five-year-old daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven, broke through for her maiden win when third up from a spell on 31 January, proving too tough for her rivals after racing outside the leader, and this Sunday she steps up to a no more than two lifetime win event, in the Impress Print Stakes (2200m).
“I have been happy with her all the way through this time, after having a couple of setbacks.
“It had been a long time between drinks for the owners, so it was nice to get a result for them,” said Macleod.
Macleod said she knew there would be some nice horses in the race, given that Conor Crook, who has driven the mare at her past two efforts, was unavailable, but the race suited the mare’s preparation towards a race at Carrick later this month.
“I tried to get Conor (Crook) on, but he said he had Lougle in it, so I got Jordy (Chibnall), and she won’t do her any harm. She is drawn to get a nice trip and should be thereabouts somewhere at the finish.
“It suited her to have this run, as she is qualified for the Trainers’ Incentive race at Carrick in a couple of weeks.
“Being a mare, she should get an opportunity to pick up a few wins with plenty of options,” the trainer said.
Macleod’s other runner on the eight-race card is Star Watching in race six, an up to 49 rating event over 1680m.
The nine-year-old gelding has been out of the winners’ list since November 2022, and gets his chance to run an improved race.
“He finally gets a decent draw.
“We will put the pull-ups (blinds) on him this week, and hopefully he can hold up from the pole, and get his chance to run an improved race,” the trainer said about the pacer who will be driven by Gareth Rattray.
Macleod has been kept busy in recent months with horses at different stages of their racing journey.
“We are flat out with horses at the moment, we have six racehorses, prepping a couple up for the yearling sales (on 14 February at Quercus Park), and we are breaking two in, and we have been doing a bit of pre-training work, which I have enjoyed,” she said.
