Co-trainer Simon Zahra says there could be a silver lining in a setback for Heatherly as she prepares for her return to racing in the Group I Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington later this month.
Heatherly's spring campaign ended when she suffered a bleeding attack after finishing second to top colt Extreme Choice in the Group I Moir Stakes on September 30 but Zahra said the mare has been different since returning to the stable.
Zahra said Heatherly's tendency to do things fiercely in her work and races had gone, which had left a much more relaxed and tractable sprinter.
"She's actually relaxing a lot better so she's really matured in that way," Zahra, who trains Heatherly in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, said.
"She's not going out on the track and trying to break track records."
The new and relaxed Heatherly was on show at Tuesday's Cranbourne trials in which she won the opening heat of the day.
Heatherly tracked the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Flying Artie before shading the Mick Price-trained galloper late but neither galloper was asked for much in the closing stages.
Heatherly covered the 800m in 45.75 seconds on a track rated a heavy (8) with Damian Lane in the saddle.
"She has had a couple of jumpouts at Flemington so she was reasonably fit for her trial and she'll only come on again for that," Zahra said.
"She has placed twice in Group I races so she's definitely up to them so we're looking forward to her coming back.
"If she wins the Lightning, it will be job done for her and it will be terrific for the owners."
