It’s lucky for one Plucky prospect

STABLE life lover Plucky Girl had her chances of a maiden stakes victory in today’s Gai Waterhouse Classic enhanced yesterday when warm favourite Platinum Angel was scratched.

Plucky Girl is shooting for a fifth straight win and firmed to $ 3.70 with the Platinum Angel scratching.

The iron mare of Queensland racing had the first run of her current campaign in May last year, running 16 times since, winning six, including her last four.

Despite the length of time she’s been in work, the daughter of Pluck does her best work fresh and for that reason has started just four times this calendar year.

Trainer Toby Edmonds has been happy to be very patient, waiting for the right conditions, underlined by the fact she’s been scratched 12 times in the past year, including twice since her latest win at Tamworth in April.

“She’s been scratched because of the wet weather, but she’s still going very well.” Edmonds said. “Even though she’s been up a long time, she doesn’t race week in week out, she’s sparingly raced.

“She uses the farm most weeks for a couple of days, that’s how she ticks over. It seems to work for her.”

Edmonds concedes Plucky Girl’s biggest challenge today is carrying the 58.5kg impost against a number of very well performed mares.

Trainer Chris Munce is confident handy stayer First Crush will give a bold showing in today’s Ipswich Cup, stepping up to his preferred trip and getting more favourable weight conditions compared to last start’s weight- for- age Lord Mayor’s Cup.

“This horse is flying in his work and it is a very open race away from the two class runners, Ecuador and Tradesman,” Munce said.

“First Crush is much better suited in the handicap conditions and I expect him to be very competitive.”