Underrated Filly Progresses To WA Sires’

Posted on April 13, 2017 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Small in stature, big in heart.

That describes giant killing two-year-old filly, Lucy Mae.

The Ted Martinovich-trained daughter of Stratum has been a genuine surprise packet of the juvenile season, overcoming a lack of height with an insatiable determination and will to win.

Lucy Mae debuted in October, but it was an unlikely victory at Pinjarra at big odds that signalled she could be a star on the rise.

Despite being ignored by punters Lucy Mae upstaged her more fancied opposition to post a gutsy win in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m).

Tracking the leader throughout Lucy Mae fought on strongly over the final 50 metres to hold out favourite Achernar Star by a short-neck.

She then ran second in the Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) before landing a signature victory to silence the doubters in the Karrakatta Plate (1200m).

Starting at double figure odds, Lucy Mae defied the sceptics again, maintaining her superiority over Achernar Star when scoring by a long-head.

She became just the second horse in history to take out the Karrakatta Plate, WA’s richest race for two-year-olds and Magic Millions double.

Remarkably, because of her size, Lucy Mae’s durability had been questioned, but she has progressed to the final feature race of the two-year-old season.

And on this occasion with the majority of her Karrakatta Plate rivals falling by the wayside and being spelled, Lucy Mae is the $2.70 second favourite.

Heading the TAB market is Fred Kersley’s smart colt, Debellatio, who ran to the line powerfully when third to Lucy Mae in the Karrakatta Plate.

Martinovich said Lucy Mae, who is close to half-a-million dollars in prize money, was in top shape to claim the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on Good Friday.

“She pulled up really well and as you know there is not a lot of her,” Martinovich said on the Sports Daily.

“She hasn’t missed a beat since and that’s why she will push ahead and give it another shot on Friday.

“She has gone under the radar very very easily, but she has got a lot of courage about her and cops the work.

“Sometimes you can go to the well one too many times, but I don’t think that will be a problem.

“The way that she fights her races she should run out the 1400m, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Lucy Mae will start from barrier eight in the field of 11. Shaun McGruddy retains the mount.

$2.25 favourite Debellatio, to be ridden by Dan Staeck, has drawn barrier nine.

“I don’t think it’s a bad draw because he needs clear galloping room and he should get that,” Kersley said.

“There is some concern about the length of his preparation, but mentally he is very good and he is still very bright.”