Trainer Anthony Cummings has set his Pluck (USA) filly Lucky Louie for a Flemington stakes race on Melbourne Cup day.
Cummings has targeted the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) for her next start following a promising debut at Randwick on October 1.
Lucky Louie (2f Pluck – La Bella Luisa by Clang) finished third behind Jorda in the LR Gimcrack Stakes and there were excuses after she was inconvenienced at a vital stage. “It was a very good run all things considered,” Cummings said. “She was beaten a length but should have finished much closer.”
The stewards’ report highlighted an incident-packed race for the field of first-timers in the Gimcrack. “Lucky Louie was unable to be ridden out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of Jorda which, after initially shifting out under pressure, was then corrected by its rider and shifted back in.”
Pluck sired Lucky Louie from Eagle Farm juvenile winner La Bella Luisa (Clang). “She has settled in very well since we floated her to Melbourne,” Cummings added. “Hopefully, we have better luck down the straight on Cup day.”
She is the first foal to race from La Bella Luisa and her latest is a yearling filly by Casino Prince.
Pluck (More Than Ready) won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Turf Juvenile at Churchill Downs and there were 8 individual juvenile winners in his first crop. No other Australian freshman sired more winners 2015-16.
Vinery stands Pluck for a $9,900 (inc GST) service fee.
