SAM Kavanagh is ready to return to metropolitan racing – and his Saturday
home track winner Lady Ichikawa is ready to go there as well.
The Newcastle trainer, who has been so staunchly battling a serious health issue, was a welcome sight back at the races at the weekend to see his mare make it two wins in a row after a run of five minor placings.
Lady Ichikawa ($4) burst home to defeat $2.70 favorite Trafalgar Square in the Midway Class 1
Handicap (1200m), backing up her breakthrough victory in a midweek Provincial Maiden Plate (1250m), also at Newcastle, on October 1.
“I’ve always felt she could measure up to city standard, and I’m ready to throw her in the deep end in town in three weeks,” Kavanagh said on Sunday morning.
“Lady Ichikawa will go to a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on
November 9. She appreciates having her runs spaced."
“It’s never easy going straight from a Maiden to also winning a Class 1 Handicap, so she deserves her chance in town."
“She has always shown ability, but has taken time and didn’t begin racing until last year.”
Lady Ichikawa, a lightly-raced homebred five-year-old daughter of No Nay Never, was having only her ninth start.
Jockey Jean Van Overmeire settled her off the pace, and she produced a neat turn of foot when he got her into the clear in the straight – as she did in her first win.
Van Overmeire afterwards told connections he was pleased to finally win for them, having been placed three times previously from four rides on the mare.
Whilst Lady Ichikawa will go to town on November 9, Kavanagh is looking forward to making his city return a week earlier, also at Rosehill.
“I’m keen to run Magnatear in the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m),” he said.
“Magnatear hasn’t raced since mid-July, and is a good fresh horse. He has form this year around the likes of Tavi Time, West Of Africa and State Of America (all
winners in recent months).”
Kavanagh also is set to finally get Gundy Bridge back to the races the same day for his first start under his banner.
Formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Gundy Bridge has raced only eight times for three wins (two of them in Sydney in late 2022).
The now I Am Invincible seven-year-old was bought online for $25,000 last December, and has trialled twice recently in preparation for his resumption.
“Gundy Bridge has had his problems, and I’m very fortunate that my partner Kelly (Fawcett) is a physio and has been able to do a lot of work on him.
“She is a tremendous help not only to myself, but also our stable.”
Story John Curtis, 21 October 2024.
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