Lenora Jane is bouncing back to her best

Talented pacer Lenora Jane (Fly Like An Eagle) will be looking to put the disappointment of missing out on last month’s Diamond Classic (2130m) by winning this Friday’s Allwood Stud Westbred Classic (2130m) for the two-year-old harness racing fillies.

Lenora Jane made an impressive start to her career with two wins and a brave second placing to Xceptional Arma in July.

Her most recent start resulted in an uncharacteristic unplaced performance in her heat of the Diamond Classic, taken out by Water Lou.

The Fly Like An Eagle filly has since beaten Xceptional Arma in a trial at Pinjarra and confirmed she was on track for this Friday’s $215,000 feature in doing so.

Trainer Kim Prentice said he was confident Lenora Jane had turned the corner and was on track for the biggest test in her career.

“She’s really good and the trial was really nice,” Prentice told The Trots WA.

“I ran a blood after the last start and there were a few things that weren’t quite right.

“We worked her accordingly and she’s done everything I’ve asked of her.”

Lenora Jane, to be driven by Mitchell Miller, drew barrier 11 for the Westbred Classic and will be joined on the back row by Xceptional Arma and Water Lou.

Diamond Classic runner-up Miss Hepburn was the main winner from the barrier draw, where she came up with barrier two and looks likely to get the lead.

Prentice said he was thrilled with Lenora Jane’s draw.

“I think we will see the best of her if she is sat up and gets a spot close enough from that draw,” he said.

“We have the main chances drawn alongside us and obviously Aiden’s is in front of us.

“I wouldn’t swap my filly for any other one in the race.”

Prentice said even if Lenora Jane was successful tomorrow night, it would be unlikely he’d pursue a start in the Golden Slipper later this month.

While Prentice has high hopes for Lenora Jane, he’s had to lower his expectations for Soho Skyfall in the Westbred Classic for the two-year-old colts and geldings.

Soho Skyfall, who finished fifth behind Grevis in last week’s two-year-old event at Gloucester Park, faces a tough task in the Westbred Classic, where he drew barrier eight earlier this week.

Prentice said a top five finish would be a pass mark for the gelding tomorrow night.

“We’ve got to drive to run fifth and if we finished third or fourth it would be a bonus,” he said.

“He went fair last week, but he’s been hurt by barriers in the better races.

“He’s got awesome three-year-old and four-year-old written all over him.”

Waverider is a commanding $1.55 TABtouch favourite for the Westbred Classic, while Soho Skyfall is rated a $71 chance.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker, for RWWA