Lady Esprit out for another crack at hot favourite in Carlyon Stakes

Brad Waters - Thursday August 24

Lady Esprit will get at least one factor in her favour for her return bout with Heatherly in Saturday's Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Lady Esprit will have another crack at Heatherly in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The Ciaron Maher-trained Lady Esprit finished 1 ¾ lengths from Heatherly when the pair met at Flemington in March with the winner giving the runner-up 5kg.

The pair meets again on Saturday under set weights and penalties with Heatherly only giving Lady Esprit 1kg but the latter's record on the track giving her a fighting chance of rolling the $2.20 favourite.

Lady Esprit has won twice and placed twice from five runs at the Moonee Valley circuit, which Maher said gave the daughter of Bel Esprit a chance of fulfilling the stable's goal with the five-year-old.

"She has worked her way through the grades and if she can get a bit of black type, she'll be a valuable broodmare," Maher said.

"She's a sharp horse and she's always had little niggles but seems to have had a really good prep.

"She's a winner at the 1000m around the Valley and hopefully she can get a bit of black type."

Lady Esprit pleased Maher with her latest jumpout effort at Caulfield but he took the chance to send the five-year-old for a refresher at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning.

"She trialled well here at Caulfield two weeks ago and she went out to Moonee Valley and did a slick piece of work," Maher said.

"Heatherly has got a bit on her but if she can place or be somewhere around the mark, I'm sure she'll come on from the run also.

"She didn't need a look at the track but the trip over there and a good gallop brings them on more than a gallop in their backyard."

Sportsbet has Lady Esprit as a $20 chance to upset Heatherly in Carlyon Stakes with Craig Williams aboard.

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