Tuesday’s trackwork will be pivotal in determining whether Lady In Pink gets her chance to audition for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in this Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m).
Trainers Leon and Troy Corstens, along with Will Larkin, are eager to give the mare one more start this campaign.
However, they will assess her condition during Tuesday’s session before committing.
The five-year-old mare was a brave runner-up in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) last start, capping a five-run campaign that began with the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on October 5.
Despite her consistent performances, Troy Corstens is cautious about pushing her further this late in the preparation.
“My only little concern is we’ve been up a long time, and last week was probably our grand final,” Corstens said.
“I don’t want to judge her over the further distance if it’s an end-of-prep run, but if she’s showing signs of that, I’ll see it Tuesday, and we won’t run.
“I just need to see that she still wants to be there.”
After a first-up seventh, Lady In Pink claimed the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) before struggling in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
She rebounded with strong placings in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) and the Ballarat Cup, showcasing her versatility and durability.
The Pakenham Cup would mark her first attempt beyond 2000 metres, though Corstens is confident the step up in trip will suit.
“I’ve thought the whole way along that she is a 2400-2500-metre horse,” he said.
“She’ll have a light autumn, maybe one run and then a break, and hopefully we can set her for a Caulfield Cup.”
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