The start of Godolphin filly Lull's campaign for the Ciaron Maher stable was sensationally postponed last weekend, but connections believe the unexpected delay might work in her favour as she heads to her home track this Wednesday.
Power Outage Leads to Strategic Pivot
Lull was literally behind the barriers at Kembla Grange last Saturday, ready for her first run under Maher's care, when the entire meeting was abandoned due to a major power outage in the area. Instead, the daughter of Exceed And Excel will now line up in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm on December 6.
Johann Gerard-Dubord, Maher's Sydney assistant trainer, suggested the four-day reschedule could be a blessing for the spirited filly. "Mentally, it would have done her the world of good because she is a hot kind of filly," Gerard-Dubord said. "It would have taken a bit of freshness out of her but still having a fairly easy day."
Lull, a winner at Kembla in her first preparation for James Cummings, showed good gate speed in a trial at Rosehill on October 24. "She travelled very strongly. We just wanted to give her a fairly easy time," Gerard-Dubord explained. The filly faces a challenge from barrier eight but remains a nice prospect going forward.
Stablemates Seeking Redemption
The Maher stable had a double blow from the Kembla cancellation, with three-year-old War King also missing his intended run. He will now contest the Maiden Plate (1400m) at Warwick Farm. "It was disappointing... it looked the perfect race for him," Gerard-Dubord admitted, citing a wide barrier as the reason for a subsequent scratch from Newcastle. The gelding has shown promise with a third and a fourth in two runs this preparation and is still improving.
In the Maiden Handicap (1000m), the Gerry Harvey-owned Misty Veil is a leading chance after a narrow first-up defeat at Wyong on November 16. The filly by Wootton Bassett was beaten a mere nose by Daring Fellow. "She is a filly who has always shown a lot of talent," said Gerard-Dubord, noting her improved settling ability this campaign.
Thompson Targets Winning Return for Kingston Charm
In other races, trainer John Thompson is optimistic about Kingston Charm breaking a 13-month winning drought in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m). The six-year-old mare famously won the Four Pillars at Rosehill in November 2024 but has found victories hard to come by since.
"She has been going well. A couple of ordinary runs on wet tracks which she doesn't like," Thompson stated. With dry conditions expected and a favourable barrier three draw with Nash Rawiller aboard, Thompson believes this midweek race presents an ideal opportunity.
Thompson also saddles up Hellbent On You, who resumes in a Benchmark 72 over 1200m following a smart trial campaign, and debutant Arizona Loner, who is expected to improve significantly over the 1400m of his maiden event.
The Warwick Farm meeting on Wednesday, December 6, shapes as an intriguing program with several runners, led by the delayed but potentially sharper Lull, looking to capitalise on their second chances.
