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Lord Reims favourite a slow burn

SHE blitzed rivals in the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington and is a dominant $1.75 favourite for Saturday’s $122,250 Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville. 

But the most exciting thing for connections of promising four-year-old staying mare Tralee Rose is that trainer Symon Wilde believes we won’t see the best of her until the spring. 

“I’ve always said the spring will be when she reaches maturity,” Wilde said on RadioTAB’s Racing Active. 

“I think spring time will be her time to really shine – that’s not to say she can’t run well in the Lord Reims. 

“That distance range is ideal for her.” 

Tralee Rose has always given Wilde the perception she would be a good stayer, but just needed time. 

“She’s a very natural stayer, she has been from day one,” Wilde said. 

“It’s been about teaching her to race over those distances and I think she’s nearly there. She’s been a slow-maturing horse.” 

Tralee Rose finished fourth behind Realm Of Flowers in the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic at Morphettville over 2500m back in May before returning in outstanding fashion. 

She won her a 1700m maiden at Warrnambool, then again over that trip at Flemington before winning at Sandown over 1800m. 

She was then narrowly beaten at Flemington in December before her demolition job of rivals in the Bagot when she won by seven lengths eased down by jockey Craig Williams. 

“We though she was well weighted (in the Bagot), we were quite confident,” Wilde said. 

“Even though the field wasn’t that flash I thought she quite impressive… I didn’t expect her to win like that. 

“She might have been slightly flattered, it’s an off-season race. 

“She’s got to prove herself now but I do think she’s a horse on the up and can launch off the Bagot. You can only beat what was there.” 

Despite being seven weeks between runs Wilde is unphased about
Tralee Rose being too fresh coming to Adelaide, where she is drawn perfectly with Jason Holder taking the ride. 

“She doesn’t take a lot of work, she’s a naturally fit horse with a great lung capacity and a great attitude towards work,” Wilde said. 

“It’s ideal to try her at this distance range now; we think she’s ready for it. 

“We thought it (Adelaide Cup) was an achievable target. All she needs is a nice, even tempo (in the Lord Reims). If that happens she should be getting the right run.” 

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