SYDNEY - A victory by Phenomenal Lass at Canterbury would be a timely tonic for Paul Murray after the loss of stable star Predatory Pricer to Melbourne trainer Mick Price.
A half-brother to champion sprinter Takeover Target, Predatory Pricer won the group two JJ Liston Stakes in the spring buthas been sidelined since suffering a tendon injury during his unplaced effort in the Caulfield Cup won by Viewed.
Murray, who trains at Kembla Grange south of Sydney, said losing Predatory Pricer was gut-wrenching.
"When he came home from Melbourne after the Caulfield Cup they wanted to put him straight in the paddock but I begged them not to because then he would have broken down completely," Murray said.
"I begged them to let me keep him at Kembla. I didn't charge them much and I tried to do the right thing by the horse."
Predatory Pricer left Kembla a couple of months ago to have more intensive treatment for his tendon injury and Murray said he "had a funny feeling then I wouldn't see him again".
But rather than dwell on the past, Murray is looking to the future and hoping Phenomenal Lass can boost his mood at Canterbury today.
The four-time city winner will carry topweight of 58.5kg in the Love Vintage Show-Canterbury Hcp (1100m) and has drawn well in barrier two.
Blake Shinn, who won Saturday's Group One TJ Smith Stakes aboard Melito, chased the ride on the filly who was partnered by apprentice Nathan Berry when a first-up ninth to Verballed at Rosehill last month.
"When Blake rang we thought we wouldn't go for the claim, we'd get him on and get her to carry the weight," Murray said.
"The track didn't suit her the other day, it was too wet. She is a nice filly and I'm happy with her."
