Peggie's Dream takes first step back

Exciting mare Peggie's Dream will trial at Bunbury today ahead of her return to racing at Ascot on February 9.

The little sister to champion sprinter Miss Andretti, raced sparingly because of ongoing issues, is being set for an open 1000m sprint first-up.

Peggie's Dream scored her sixth win from seven starts when she won the Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) at Ascot in November for star Melbourne jockey Glen Boss.

She could be set for the $80,000 Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) on February 23 if she gets through her first race smoothly.

"We're always in a position where we don't know if we'll get her to another race," co-trainer Bruce Watkins said.

"We'll see how she gets through the trial and go from there. She's done more than we expected already and anything now is just a bonus."

Watkins and co-trainer Gary Hitchcock will skip today's trials with another valuable mare, Rose, who instead resumes in the South West Summer Sizzle (1200m) at Bunbury on Monday.

Rose, a half-sister to Group 1 Railway Stakes winner El Presidente, has battled leg issues during her limited career.

She has won four of her six starts but hasn't raced since April last year.

"She'll go straight into the race on Monday instead of trialling," Watkins said. "She'll only be about 70 per cent fit and has a wide barrier (11), so I wouldn't be expecting too much from her."

Watkins and Hitchcock are aiming Kerrific, who ran second to Watermans Bay in last Sunday's Mungrup Stud Sprint (1300m) at Mt Barker, at the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and Pinjarra Classic (1500m) on March 10 and 20.

·Jockey William Pike's appeal against the severity of his 30-day suspension will be heard by the Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal on Thursday.

Pike copped the ban for careless riding at Ascot on December 29.

·Perth Cup winner Talent Show will be the headline act at the Pinjarra trials on February 5 as she prepares for an assault on the Adelaide Cup (3200m) on March 11.