Ready to turn around disappointing Sydney trip

She’s mixed it with some of Australasia’s best harness racing fillies – and come away with the honours in two Group Ones.

Yet Queensland trainer Anna Woodmansey will be hoping to put a disappointing Sydney trip behind her with a win at Menangle this afternoon when her stable star Pelosi tackles Race 8, the Allied Express App Pace.

Woodmansey admits she was disappointed when Pelosi was only a reserve for Saturday night’s Robin Dundee Stakes and didn’t get a run in the race won by Fairy Tinkabell.

“Frankly she has had a couple of unlucky runs and I wasn’t too disappointed with the efforts that she has put in,” said Woodmansey.

“We did have to pick ourselves up off the floor after her last-start defeat.

“We were planning to stay down here in Sydney for a few weeks but have now decided to head home later this week so both my horses will go around at Menangle.

“This will be Pelosi’s last season of racing and she’ll go to stud this year.”

While Pelosi will again be driven by Jimmy Douglass at Menangle today, Woodmansey’s other pacer Eugenien will have Rob Morris aboard when the filly tackles Race 7, the Evekare Pace.

“She has won a couple of races, but she still has a lot to learn and I have to be honest, she’s a bit naughty,” said Woodmansey.

“When I work her she seems to be a bit lazy but she does get a bit worked up when we take her to the races.

“I have to hold my breath a bit when I put the hopples on her and just hope that she is in the right frame of mind.

“Thankfully, she is in the race before Pelosi, so I’m hoping she’ll be too worn out to carry on while we’re getting Pelosi ready for her race.”

While Pelosi has been listed as a $3 early favourite for her race, Woodmansey is taking nothing for granted and admits there are a couple of handy ones in against her.

“She’s also drawn pretty wide and although it won’t be easy, she’ll still be up there simple because she never gives up,” she said.

Meanwhile Blake Fitzpatrick will pin his hopes on handy square-gaiter Dance Secret in Race 2 at Menangle today.

“He is first-up but had a private trial and went well and is forward enough to be a winning chance, for sure,” said Fitzpatrick.

To view the fields for Menangle on Tuesday click here.

By Michael Court for HRNSW