Leica Ding and Strapper Angela Taylor-Moy in 2008.
LEICA Ding is on the comeback trail with one major target in mind – the Melbourne Cup.
The eight-year-old mare has been there before.
She used victory in the 2009 Geelong Cup to catapult her into the Melbourne Cup the same year
Ridden by Craig Williams, Leica Ding finished 14th for Ballarat trainer Darren Weir.
Leica Ding has raced just once since that first day in November at Flemington almost three years ago, finishing unplaced at the same track in April, 2010.
Despite the long absence from public view, the Weir stable racing manager Jeremy Rogers said Leica Ding had never been retired.
He said she had been in and out of work on several occasions only to be thwarted from getting back to the races by various issues.
“She’d come in for a while and then be turned out.”
Leica Ding took her latest return into the public arena for the first time with a trial in Ararat on Wednesday.
Ridden by stable jockey John Allen, Leica Ding finished seventh in a field of eight over 1000 metres on a heavy8 track.
Rogers said Leica Ding was not asked to do anything in the trial other than get around safely.
He said she had been back in work about three months with the owners keen to get another crack at the Melbourne Cup.
“That’s the goal – to try to get her to the Cup.”
Rogers said Leica Ding’s program would probably see her having another trial in a few weeks.
Leica Ding has raced just the 19 times for six wins and five minor placings for $268,365 in stakes.
Weir has had three Melbourne Cup starters.
Leica Ding followed in the footsteps of She’s Archie, which finished second to the great Makybe Diva in 2003 before breaking down in the 2004 Melbourne Cup and never racing again.
“Racing Wrap” takes a look at Ballarat racing online www.thecourier.com.au every Saturday.
david.brehaut@thecourier.com.au