Changing Colours finds new home for Flemington assignment

Cranbourne-based trainer Lucy Yeomans is appreciative of the chance to condition a horse for some of Australia's most distinguished owners.

Yeomans is preparing to race Changing Colours, a former mare from Chris Waller's stable, in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Prominent owners Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski, who have enjoyed success in major Australian races, are part of the ownership group.

Yeomans' prior association with Ciaron Maher facilitated her acquaintance with Kheir and Sokolski, while her partner, jockey Blake Shinn, has previously partnered their winners in feature events.

"Brae gave a big push for the horse to come to us which I'm very grateful for," Yeomans said.

The mare, a daughter of The Autumn Sun now aged six, had secured three victories from fifteen starts for Waller before her relocation to Yeomans' stable.

Yeomans relayed that Waller had emailed her concerning the mare.

"He's been really nice, accommodating and forthcoming about the horse," Yeomans remarked regarding Waller.

"She's a bit of a quirky mare and they just thought she would be better suited to a smaller environment.

"She's come up really well and we're really excited to get her to the races.

"We've taken our time with her, got to know her, and she spends a lot of time out in the sandhills.

"We thought that was a point of difference to what she has been used to, but she left Chris' in great order before coming to us."

Yeomans reported that Changing Colours had performed creditably in gallops and trials in readiness for her first race since February.

The mare triumphed in a 1000m jump-out at Cranbourne on June 1, following a fourth-place finish in a similar trial at the same track the preceding month.

"She seems a naturally fit horse, she has good first-up form, has drawn a nice gate," Yeomans commented. "We are not going there expecting to win, but it's a nice kick off point and ideally the owners want to get some Black Type. At her best she might be, those fringe Black Type races, so we'll see how we go on Saturday."

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