Lane seeks front run at Bunbury’s Australia Day meet

It has been nine months since the Michael Lane-trained Friarandice won a race, but Australia Day at the Bunbury Turf Club could be her day.

The four-year-old brown mare will feature in the $17,500 Iron Jack Lager Handicap (1216m) tomorrow, with in-form jockey Joseph Azzopardi in the saddle.

With just one win from 13 starts, Friarandice has plenty of room for improvement and Lane believes she is a good chance of a place.

“We will start her there and probably look for a weaker race in Albany or something next start,” he said.

“We are hoping she can go better than I think, but I believe she needs weaker company than this.

“I wanted to give her a first start at home. Her work has been good and she has trialled well.”

Lane said Azzopardi needed to get to the front of the pack early and drawing barrier five in the 13-horse race gave them the best opportunity.

“She needs to get to the front early,” he said.

“We will just see how she goes.

“She has done enough to suggest she is forward enough in her preparation.”

Bunbury trainer Brent Larsson said Snow Blossom was a good chance to make it two wins from two races when she runs alongside Friarandice.

“She gets back most of the time, so needs a good run on the straight,” he said.

“I don’t know if there is any perfect race for her, but as long as there is a bit of speed on it will suit her.”

The five-year-old brown mare won across 1208m in Bunbury earlier this month and despite the solid form, Larsson said he was yet to map out a program for her.

“As long as she stays competitive we might go up to Perth some time in the future,” he said.

Lane said he was hopeful Tripeletto would perform well on debut when he runs in the $15,000 Horseland Bunbury – Best Dressed Maiden (1016m).

The four-year-old chestnut gelding has won both his trials in the past month and is a good chance having drawn barrier six in the seven-horse race.

“He has definitely got a couple of wins in him,” Lane said.

“He is a little bit green, but you have to start somewhere and Bunbury is a pretty good place to do it.”

Lane said Tripeletto would be a 1500m horse and would be a good provincial horse.