Right choice for Heatherly at Flemington

A Sydney trip is still on the cards for Heatherly after she coasted to an easy win in a stakes race at Flemington.

Heatherly was untouched as a $1.80 favourite in the Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) on Saturday after being scratched from the Challenge Stakes on a heavy track at Randwick.

The Lonhro mare will now head to Sydney for The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 18.

Ridden by Damian Lane, Heatherly was always in control of Saturday’s race before scoring by 1-3/4 lengths from Lady Esprit ($8) with Snappy Esprit ($81) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Heatherly finished a first-up sixth in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 18 with co-trainer Mathew Ellerton saying the mare became agitated when standing in the starting gates.

“She was on her best behaviour today and was really tractable for Damian,” Ellerton said.

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“That last run before a spell she had a bleeding attack. Fingers crossed she pulls up alright and we can take her up to Sydney.”

Ellerton said the decision to stay in Melbourne was made to avoid running on the heavy track as she still looked “pretty” in condition.

“While I think she’ll handle the wet it wasn’t the right scenario for her today,” Ellerton said.

After The Galaxy Ellerton said Heatherly could go to Brisbane for the winter carnival or head to Adelaide for the Sangster Stakes in May.

Being a bleeder Heatherly has tentatively been entered for the broodmare sale during the Inglis Easter Sale in Sydney next month.

“If it unfortunately happens again the insurance is that she’s in the sale,” Ellerton said.