Both trainer Ciaron Maher and rider Sam Clipperton were full of praise for Loving Gaby after the I Am Invincible Filly won her trial at Royal Randwick on Thursday morning.
The 740m test formed part of her prep for Australia’s richest two-year-old race, The Golden Slipper, in just over a week. Breaking the best she ever has from the gates Clipperton was able to settle the Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned filly just behind the earlier leader before he was able to ease her into the lead in the home straight. Under the minimal amount of riding, she extended away in the last 150m to win by just shy of two and a half lengths.
It was Clipperton’s first sit on the Group Three Chairman Stakes winner, and he was happy with his experience.
“It was a good trial, she feels like a very classy type.” Assessed the rider. “She got around the bend well and sprinted up nicely in the last 150m with plenty in hand and took her work through the line. The going was quite testing out there, but she had no issues with it travelling well throughout the trial and sprinting up nicely at the end.”
“She’ll take a bit of benefit from this and coming to another racetrack will hold her in good stead.” Explained Maher. “We’ll give her a medium gallop next week and then she’ll be ready to line up.
Top international jockey Oisin Murphy will jet in for the ride on the filly for the big race at Rosehill Gardens on 22nd March.