Former Canowindra pacer now based in Bathurst Lucy Lamb has returned to the track this season in career best form.
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Trained by Ken Rue, Lucy Lamb is aiming for her third straight victory at Bathurst on Wednesday night and her ninth win in start number 14.
The five-year-old mare had a lengthy 13 month-spell between races after an exciting opening campaign in which she recorded five wins from six races, her only non-victory was a seventh place finish in the 2015 Group 3 Canola Cup Final.
During that spell Lucy Lamb recovered from a minor chest infection and sore feet, and trainer Ken Rue relocated from Canowindra to Bathurst.
Now, Lucy Lamb’s clocking winning mile-rates faster than she ever has and Rue’s targeting a final at Menangle for his in form mare.
She has a chance to qualify for one on Wednesday night, lining up in the $10,000 Country Series Heat (1730m) at the Bathurst paceway, with Ken’s son Mat Rue in the gig.
Rue’s not too keen about the second-row draw and he is concerned about a few rivals in the race including two in form runners for Amanda Turnbull, Quaint Glen and Jonah Jones, while Miss Rodriguez for Wayne White at Oberon also looms as a contender.
“It’s a hot field and we got a tough draw but you can always have hope can’t you,” Ken said.
...everything’s worked out well.
- Ken Rue
“We’ll be back towards the rear. It’s too good of a field to make a move mid-race so we’ll be asking for some luck and hopefully she’s good enough to take it if it comes about.
“I’m not overly confident.”
Mat Rue has eight wins from 13 drives with Lucy Lamb and will be aiming to bolster that strike-rate.
Ken says he’s been pleased with how Mat’s been steering the mare, and the form Lucy Lamb’s shown this campaign.
“He [Mat Rue] is out there all the time and he knows most of the horses we’re up against and how the other drivers race. I’m happy with how he and her are going,” Ken said.
“We’ve started fresh this season and everything’s worked out well with her so far.”
There’s another country series heat scheduled for Bathurst next Wednesday which Ken has his eyes on if Lucy Lamb misses out.
“No doubt it’ll be tough,” he said.
“If we don’t make the final this week we’ll try again next week.”
A top two finish would secure a spot in the final worth $20,000 to be run at Menangle on August 26.
