“Healthy and sound” as talented mare makes long awaited return

Group 1 winning mare Goodtime Heaven will use Saturday night’s Group 3 Allied Express Blossom Lady as a potential pathway to richer harness racing spoils at this year’s Queensland Constellations Carnival.

The Courtney Slater-trained seven-year-old (by Rock N Roll Heaven), who has raced only once in the past 18 months, makes her return to the racetrack from a second row draw with Nathan Jack taking the reins for the first time.

“Nathan got the feel of her at the trials last week when she ran second to Vintage Cheddar,” Slater said.

She said there were no significant health issues causing Goodtime Heaven’s lack of racing in recent years.

“She is healthy and sound, there has just been a couple of unlucky incidents that have prevented her from racing,” she said.

Slater, along with her parents Ian and Judy, has an eye on northern sunshine with a potential winter campaign.

“We are very happy with her and she will use this race as a stepping stone to a possible trip to the Queensland carnival,” she said.

“She always improves with racing, so she should only get better after Saturday night.”

A $65,000 purchase at the Sydney yearling sales, Goodtime Heaven has earned almost $285,000 in prizemoney courtesy of her win in the $150,000 NSW Breeders Challenge 3YO Fillies Final at Menangle.

Emma Stewart’s multiple Group 1 victor Maajida returns to Melton following an uncharacteristic down-the-track effort in the Robin Dundee at Menangle, however, forgiving punters have backed her into a $1.60 favorite.

Maajida’s regular driver Greg Sugars is likely to take the reins of yet another Group 1 winner Momentslikethese, who is trained by his wife Jess Tubbs.

Momentslikethese hasn’t been seen since finishing 11^th behind Bettor Twist in the Breeders Crown semi-final in November, but Sugars is happy with the mare’s attitude on the training track.

“She has felt really sharp in her two trials and at home she won’t let another horse get past her, which hasn’t always been the case,” Sugars said.

To view the fields for Melton on Saturday night click here.

By John Dunne for HRV