3 minute read

Lyre and Prophet's Thumb to run in Bel Esprit Stakes.

Co-trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman will be using the Bel Esprit Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday as stepping stone towards the Robert Sangster Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Morphettville on May 1 for talented mares Lyre (Lonhro) and Prophet's Thumb (I Am Invincible). 

"They'll both run very good races. They've both been set for the Sangster," Sam Freedman said. 

A winner of the 2019 Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), Lyre has gone 16 starts without success since that victory, but Freedman said the mare was going well, having finished second in Adelaide when resuming last month. 

Lyre ran fourth in the Bel Esprit Stakes, before finishing second behind Bella Vella (Commands) in the Robert Sangster Stakes and Freedman is expecting another solid performance on Saturday. 

"We went down this route with Lyre last year," Freedman said. 

"She probably ran below par in this race and then was only beaten a head in the Sangster. 

"She's racing really well and I'm sure she'll pick up another race at some stage, but punters, I'm sure, are getting a little bit sick of her." 

Meanwhile, Prophet's Thumb landed the Rubiton Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) on February 6, before finishing eight and sixth in the Oakleigh Plate (Gr 1, 1100m) and Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) respectively. 

"She loves Caulfield so it's probably leaning her way on Saturday, but out to the six furlongs of the Sangster, I would think Lyre probably has the edge," Freedman said. 

"But Prophet's Thumb is racing in such good form and she's really fit and ready for this whereas Lyre still has a bit to come."