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Stable confident third time’s a charm for Lyre

The Freedman stable is confident it will be a case of third time lucky for Lyre in Adelaide on Saturday.

An impressive track gallop on Tuesday morning has ensured the 2019 Blue Diamond winner will resume in Saturday’s Listed $102,250 Manihi Classic (1100m) at Morphettville in a campaign geared around seeking redemption for her defeat in last year’s Group 1 Sangster Stakes.

“She’s great,” said Brad Taylor, racing manager for Anthony and Sam Freedman.

“This race wasn’t initially on her radar but her work on Tuesday morning was really good and she comes back over there in great order.”

The most ominous news for rivals is the stable feels the former star juvenile is a better horse heading into her four-year-old campaign.

“As silly as it sounds, especially given she was such a good two-year-old, but she’s come back better than ever,” Taylor said.

“She really just seems to be coming into full maturity now – I think she’s better again this campaign.”

It’s been a long time between drinks for the 2019 Blue Diamond Stakes winner.

But in her 25 months away from the winner’s stall Lyre has been placed at Group 1 level three times, including twice in Adelaide, running second behind Bella Vella in last year’s Sangster and third – a fortnight later – in the Group 1 Goodwood behind Trekking.

“The Sangster is her target again early this preparation,” Taylor said.

“She’ll come back home after Saturday and then go three weeks into the Bel Esprit. Then she’ll be back there for the Sangster.

“After that we might think about another crack at the Goodwood or she might go up to Queensland.”

The stable also saddles up Perfect World in the inaugural running of the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m) – formerly Laelia Stakes – which it won last year with Meuse.

Taylor said Perfect World profiled like her stablemate and boasted some solid form coming to Adelaide after chasing home Starelle at Flemington in the Group 2 Kewney last time out.

“We’re obviously chasing black type with her,’” Taylor said.

“We won this race last year and she’s coming over with a pretty strong form line.”

“(Stablemate) Chica Fuerte has franked that form winning since, she’s drawn well, and I am sure she will run well.”

The Freedman pair will be ridden by Todd Pannell.

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