The Anthony Freedman stable is hoping for a hot pace up front in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot to give backmarker Santa Ana Lane every chance to claim back to back Group 1 victories.
Santa Ana Lane, above in blue and yellow colours, needs a fast pace up front in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Santa Ana Lane came from worse than midfield on the home turn to claim a three quarters of a lengths win over Mr Sneaky in the Group 1 $500,000 Keno Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 1 at his latest outing.
Assistant trainer Sam Freedman travelled to Perth with Santa Ana Lane and is happy with the way the Lope De Vega five year old has settled into his new surroundings.
“He’s good, he arrived about ten days ago. He had a trial just before he got over here and he is going to have his last gallop (this) morning,” Freedman told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“His fitness levels are good and he has settled in well. We are really happy with him.
“He needs a strong pace and we are more likely to get that over 1200 metres. He has freshened up, he has had five or six weeks between runs, so he should be sharp enough over the trip.”
Melbourne lightweight jockey Dean Yendall was aboard the five year old for his victory in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes and gets the ride again on Santa Ana Lane who has drawn awkwardly at barrier eleven in the thirteen horse Winterbottom Stakes field.
Santa Ana Lane has only raced at Group 1 level on two occasions for his win in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes as well as a fifth to Vega Magic in the Group 1 $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 20.
Early betting for the Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Santa Ana Lane well in contention at $7.50 behind local sprinter State Solicitor at $4, Adelaide mare Viddora at $4 and Rock Magic at $6.50.
Early betting for the 2017 Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 State Solicitor, $4 Viddora, $6.50 Rock Magic, $7.50 Santa Ana Lane, $11 Fuhryk, $15 Dainty Tess, $17 Caipirinha, $21 Profit Street, $26 Durendal, Malibu Style, Whispering Brook, $61 Dream Lifter, $81 The River.