Double shot at Ballarat Cup 2024 success for Malua Racing

While Lady In Pink snared a long-priced win during the Melbourne Spring Carnival, the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare was always considered to be behind the eight-ball by her training partners.

Troy Corstens believes the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday is where Lady In Pink will present in the best condition all preparation.

A winner of the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in October, Lady In Pink went on to run tenth in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before returning the following week to finish third in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).

A tick over 1200m jump-out at Flemington on November 22 has, according to Corstens, improved Lady In Pink heading into Saturday’s contest.

“I’ve given her a trial and I reckon she’s really come on since the Matriarch,” Corstens said.

“If we’d won the Matriarch, we wouldn’t be running in the Ballarat Cup, but her coat hasn’t been right the whole preparation and just in the last two weeks it’s changed and it’s the best we’ve had her for a long time.

“With the four weeks now between runs, it may suit, and she hasn’t lost any fitness and she’s in a very good space.

“I think she’ll run a really big race.”

Lady In Pink will be joined by Magnaspin in Saturday’s race following the gelding’s last start third on heavy ground in the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) on November 24.

Magnaspin is a dual winner over 2040m and the potential of rain-affected ground on Saturday won’t be any cause of concern for Corstens.

“It was a good solid run in the Kilmore Cup,” Corstens said.

“We are trying to see where he can take us. He’s always honest and does a great job and the 2000 metres should suit.

“He’s going really well. He probably had to do a bit too much work in the Kilmore Cup, but he took a lot from that run.”