Posh Chic trialled well this morning with Tommy Berry in the saddle. She ran 2nd ¾ x ½ in 54.2 secs. This was a fast heat on the morning and the mare trialled well within herself.
Not sent out to win the heat but just to let her bowl around under her own steam and have a good blow out to bring on her fitness, she jumped well and rolled forward despite being under a tight hold.
Noted speed horse Monnie’s Double who had drawn underneath Posh Chic set a quick pace upfront whilst Tommy was content to let that mare go, he then steadied up Posh Chic a couple of lengths back off the pace.
The seven runners were spread out over a fair bit of territory as they swung for home when the leader kicked up to put 3 lengths on Posh Chic with the gelding Daymo tracking up into third position.
Stylishly Posh Chic started to reel in the leader as they balanced and you will see in the video at the 225m she finds another gear despite the stranglehold Tommy has her under.
At the 150m the leader starts to get the wobbles and rolls out infront of Posh Chic and Daymo on his outside Tommy had to just ease our mare to the outside without letting off the brakes.
On the line Posh had run the leader down to ¾ of a length.
Tommy Berry reported that he was “very happy with the mare this time in” He also said “She has settled down a lot and wasn’t the hyped up fizz ball like she was as a younger horse”.
Posh Chic
Relaxed in her nature and more professional, he reported “had he let her go at any stage she would have dashed past the leader in a couple of strides.”
Tommy also reported to us that “she had a good blow fitness wise pulling up and she will tighten up a fair bit and improve a few lengths off this trial.”
She is happy, healthy and free in her action. Far more settled mentally and much stronger, this mare appears at this early stage to have come back in good order. A day is a long time and we are cautious of her respiratory issues and concussion issues of the past. However at this early stage Gerald and the crew are happy where we are at.
Click here to view today's trial:
It’s been a roller coaster of experiences for the team that race Posh Chic. Promising the world early, the daughter of Stratum was always an energetic handful early. After taking her to the MM Day in Queensland where she ran 2nd, upon returning she was struck down with travel sickness where the it turned into pneumonia and she was gravely ill. She pulled through that to find that the sickness had scarred the lung wall causing respiratory issues. She also suffered badly from a rare bone disease. She could of easily been retired let alone the fact she was at one stage at deaths door. However with good horse husbandry, time, teamwork and patience, the mare has responded to the TLC she has been receiving since the issues were diagnosed.
In the care of leading Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan, the mare continues to rebound.
Last time in the paddock our vet gave us a guarded prognosis of returning to racing. However today’s soft trial in the fastest time of the morning against handy opposition is very encouraging.