Underrated Need A Lift is weight tip
Trainer Paige Kenney is banking on a weight shift to give Need A Lift an edge over Real Charm in today's $100,000 Starstruck Classic (1600m) at Ascot.
Kenney's underrated mare meets Real Charm 1.5kg better today after charging home to finish a head second to her in the Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) a fortnight ago.
Despite taking on a quality line-up of mares in the feature, Need A Lift has the form to suggest she will again go close.
The five-year-old's spring- summer campaign also includes a win in the Ladies Day Cup (1300m) at Northam, placings behind Magnus Missile and New Time and a fourth to the in-form Real Love.
She is a $6 chance in the TAB's market, which is headed by Real Charm at $2.60.
Stakes winners Miss Rose De Lago ($4.60) and Antique Belle ($5.50) are also rated strong chances.
"Hopefully, the weight difference might be enough," Kenney said. "As long as she can run a similar race again she should be in the finish.
"Every run this time in has been good and there is a lot of form around her.
"The way she hit the line over 1400, she should be suited up to 1600."
Need A Lift will jump from barrier two for jockey Takahide Ikenushi.
A black-type win today would be special for Kenney and the mare's breeder-owner, Charlie Marino.
Need A Lift was a wayward foal, the result of a mating between an unfashionable sire and unwanted mare.
"I'd love to get her a Listed win for Charlie," Kenney said.
"She's so gutsy and she tries so hard."
·Trainer Hec McLaren was yesterday fined $6000 for presenting Step Right Up with the anti- inflammatory oxphenbutazone in his system for a race at Belmont Park on October 4.
Stewards stripped Step Right Up of his victory in the race and also fined McLaren $500 for failing to keep records of treatments.
