Group 1 winner Lady Laguna is in line for a trip to Perth for the upcoming Pinnacles series, following an encouraging performance in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
The mare scored a maiden Group 1 win in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) earlier this year and has subsequently placed at the highest level.
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained galloper was in line to come to Perth earlier this year for the $5 million Quokka (1200m) but stayed in Sydney to compete in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
OTI Racing’s Terry Henderson said Perth was Lady Laguna’s main aim this campaign.
“It’s a real prospect,” Henderson told TABradio.
“We had a bit of a setback with her, and she missed about a month’s work with a virus.
“She had her first run back last week and she went well.
“We’ve got her in a $3 million race (Russell Balding Stakes) in a couple of weeks’ time in Sydney.
“Our number one priority is to get her over to Perth after that.
“We are looking forward to getting another runner over there, which is always great.”
The five-year-old has been nominated for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m) over the series.
A return clash with Sydney Stakes winner Overpass is set to be on the cards in the Winterbottom Stakes.
Overpass remains a warm $3 TABtouch favourite to win his second consecutive Winterbottom Stakes, with Lady Laguna a $16 chance.
The daughter of Overshare is rated a $21 chance for the Gold Rush.
Lady Laguna will be OTI Racing’s first runner in Perth since Gailo Chop, pictured above, ran in the 2020 Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
Tim Walker
Image - Western Racepix