Damien Lane says he wouldn’t be surprised if Elysan Avenue wins her raceday debut at Wyong on Thursday, despite having only one lead-up barrier trial following a 73-week spell.
The Not A Single Doubt filly will run in the Toukley Lions Club Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1100m) following an effortless trial win at Wyong over 845 metres on June 15.
Lane said she needed time to strengthen after her first trial as a two-year-old in January 2015.
“She pulled up a bit sore in her knee that day but there were no chips in the knee, it was just an immaturity thing so I gave her a year off,” he said.
“She came back and has always shown us good ability; I just wanted to give her time to develop. She trialled well but is still very green and she’ll improve on what she does on Thursday.
“She’s got plenty of speed. She was a little weak as a two-year-old but she’s strengthened right up now and has developed into a nice filly.”
Despite winning the trial and pulling up well, the plan was to get her in among horses but it didn’t eventuate in the small five-horse field.
“I wanted her to do that so she could learn something but the trial didn’t pan out that way,” Lane said.
“Chris [O’Brien] really liked the filly. He asked me if I wanted to give her another trial but, to me, they learn more in a race than in a trial.
“She’s got enough ability to win and she’s fit enough. She should have enough speed to lead or sit outside the leader which is an advantage at Wyong.”
Patience is set to pay off with what should be a lengthy first preparation as Lane sees what level the filly can get to.
The first of eight races at Wyong jumps at 12:10pm.
– Racing NSW
