Star sprinter Santa Ana Lane has had an easy jump-out at Flemington in preparation for his bid to win the Group One Goodwood for the second time.
Santa Ana Lane won the 2018 Goodwood and the Anthony Freedman-trained multiple Group One winner is scheduled to head back to Adelaide for Saturday week’s 1200m-sprint.
He is looking to bounce back from an unplaced run in the All-Aged Stakes in Sydney last month.
Friday’s jump-out was won by fellow Goodwood contender Trekking with Santa Ana Lane fifth of the six runners.
“He just had a very soft trial,” Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor said.
“We didn’t let him off the bridle.
“We did try him in the blinkers and we’re just going to toss up whether we put them on race day next week or not.
“He relaxed nicely in them and hit the line under his own steam and had plenty there.
“Mark Zahra knows him very well and was very happy with him.
“He heads over to the race next week in really good order and hopefully he can bounce back to his best.”
Damien Thornton is booked to ride Santa Ana Lane with stablemate Lyre, runner-up in last Saturday’s Robert Sangster Stakes, also in the mix.
More immediately, the stable is hoping Victoria Derby winner Warning can win Saturday’s Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
Warning ran on for third to Derby favourite Dalasan in the Chairman’s Stakes (2035m) last start and Taylor believes he is spot-on for the staying test.
“If he brings his Victoria Derby form he’s going to be right in the race,” Taylor said.
“His run last start was very good. He’s drawn a great barrier (3) so he’ll be further forward in the field I’d imagine from that barrier.
“If he can get rolling before the corner and make it a real staying test he’ll be the one to run down.
“People are saying Dalasan is a query at the distance. I don’t believe so.
“He was strong the other day and he’s going to probably get a nice run as well but hopefully we can be in front of him and he’s got to run us down this time.”