PROMISING Newcastle mare Lost For Words chases her first city win today sporting the silks of former top-line galloper Tails.
Lost For Words will be out to make up for her unlucky last-start effort at Randwick when she runs in the 2400-metre Markey Saddlery Handicap at Warwick Farm this afternoon.
She was third past the post last start over 1800m at Randwick on August 7 but was promoted to second after a protest lodged by her jockey, Jimmy Cassidy, was upheld.
Cassidy alleged interference in the drive to the line in a three-way go and stewards agreed.
The Racing NSW stewards' panel elevated the five-year-old daughter of Zabeel to second behind Miss Phromily. Mercier Amour was relegated to third.
Considering the interference and the fact Lost For Words blundered during the run, her effort was outstanding.
The step from 1800m to 2400m seems perfect for her, and she drops half a kilogram on her latest effort.
She was transferred to astute Newcastle trainer David Atkins after failing on debut in Sydney for John Hawkes.
She has improved with each of her six runs under Atkins's care and has won twice at Broadmeadow.
A win today by Lost For Words would certainly evoke plenty of great memories for her owners John Barnes and Joy Mackay who race the mare under the Canning Downs Stud banner.
Lost For Words races in the black with pink sleeves silks which have been carried by many outstanding gallopers.
John Barnes's father, Ceb, used the same colours to race the mighty Tails which had 79 starts for 23 wins in a stellar career.
Ceb, a federal cabinet minister, watched as Tails, a striking chestnut colt sired by Barnes's stallion Dalray out of Dolled Up, took racing by storm.
Tails returned $190,000 in prizemoney in his career in the 1960s and 70s which at the time was only bettered by champion Tulloch.
Tails won the Queensland Derby in 1968 and the following year took out the AJC Metropolitan in Sydney, and the Coongy Handicap and Hotham Handicap in Melbourne.
At five years of age Tails won the Metropolitan again and also the Doomben Cup.
As a six-year-old, Tails won the Chelmsford Stakes in Sydney and beat the mighty Gunsynd in the 1972 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Lost For Words is not likely emulate those deeds but a win today would ensure that she heads to her owner's stud and has a future as a dam.
"She was definitely unlucky last start and should improve greatly from that run," Cassidy said.
"The extra distance should not be a worry."
Lost For Words was posted as a $4.40 chance with TAB Sportsbet yesterday in a very open staying affair.
African Prince opened as the favourite but had drifted to $6.50 in fixed-odds markets yesterday afternoon.
Lost For Words will start 2.5 kilograms lighter than African Prince, even allowing for Blake Spriggs's 2kg claim.
Lost For Words is yet to run over the 2400m trip but being the progeny of Zabeel from the Khozaam mare What Can I Say she looks to have the staying blood flowing through her veins.
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