Kris Lees hasn’t ruled out having a throw at the stumps in stakes grade with emerging filly Lucky Variety after she accounted for a strong field at Randwick to post her third win.
In a reflection of the depth of Saturday’s benchmark 72 Handicap, Lucky Variety started at double-figure odds despite her only defeat this preparation coming at the hands of subsequent Magic Millions Guineas winner Fashion Legend.
“She has come back in really good order,” Lees said.
“She has been beaten once this preparation by a Magic Millions three-year-old (Guineas) winner, so the form reference was pretty good going into this, albeit this was a pretty strong race for this time of year.
“She had that race fitness against a few of them and got a lovely ride, aided by a good gate, and she was able to get there on the line.”
With the leaders ensuring a solid tempo, apprentice Dylan Gibbons gave Lucky Variety ($16) time to find her feet early and she burst through a late split to nail Lavish Empire ($7) by a half-neck with Another Cognac ($10) a further short head back.
Gibbons has no doubt the three-year-old can continue to step up through the grades.
“I just had to wait a couple of extra strides but I loved her tenacity once I got out,” Gibbons said.
“She was out on her feet that last little bit but she really dug deep for me.
“She is a casual character, she goes to the gates like she is ready for 3200 so I’m sure the more she races and the more she matures, she will be a better mare for it.”
Lees, who scratched Lucky Variety from Canterbury on Friday night due to a wide gate, will entertain starting her in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in three weeks, pending the make-up of the field.
“While she is up and fit, that is sometimes when you try these types of fillies (in stakes grade),” he said.
“To be fair, she is not in that grade but she could (be) if they are all first-up.”
The previously undefeated Passeggiata started a $2.90 Unibet favourite and finished fifth after working hard from a wide draw.
Trainer Bjorn Baker said the filly had come to the end of her campaign and would now be spelled.
“Rachel (King) said she wasn’t quite as sharp and as brilliant as she has been,” Baker said.
“This is her first racing preparation and there is always a time when they come to the end of it
“She has done two pretty remarkable runs so we will put her out and she will be better for it.”