Lady Jones eyes Sunline stakes

Promising mare Lady Jones made her much-anticipated return to the track on Saturday, stepping out in the 1400m Furphy Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington. It was her first run since claiming a breakthrough black-type victory in last spring’s Group 3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day and she didn’t disappoint.

Looking a picture of health in the mounting yard, Lady Jones produced an eye-catching performance fresh, finishing third behind Is It Me, a talented galloper peaking for its grand final before heading to the paddock. Against a field stacked with race-fit opposition, she held her own, closing off strongly to be beaten just five lengths.

Her late splits told the story posting the third fastest last 600m and 200m of the race suggesting she’ll relish a rise in distance as she builds deeper into her preparation. Jockey Jye McNeil was full of praise for her return, noting that while she began to tire late, her grit and determination to secure another black-type placing were impressive.

Looking ahead, the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 22 looms as an ideal next step. Back to racing against her own sex under weight-for-age conditions, Lady Jones boasts a formidable Valley record three starts for two wins and a second, including a dominant 2.5-length triumph over the mile. With a strong return run under her belt, she’ll be primed to build on that record when she lines up in a fortnight.