New gear for Lara Antipova's Caulfield Guineas bid

The Mark Walker stable is implementing an equipment change in their quest for a Group 1 triumph with Lara Antipova.

A cross-over nose band will be applied to the filly for the first time when Lara Antipova competes in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Following a victory over 1400m at Flemington on September 12, Lara Antipova subsequently secured fourth place behind the male competitors in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on September 27.

Ben Gleeson, assistant trainer to Walker, noted that the filly exhibited excessive eagerness during her previous outing, leading to the decision to introduce the cross-over nose band.

Gleeson confirmed that Lara Antipova completed a strong workout in the new equipment at Caulfield on Tuesday and displayed significantly improved tractability.

"She did a little bit wrong last start," Gleeson revealed. "She over travelled and it was a very slow tempo. I think they were six lengths slower than when she won at Flemington where she had a lovely run in transit."

"I know everyone was saying she had all the favours, but they ran it at a pretty strong tempo and if you look at where the leader and the second (horse) in the run finished, out the back, she stuck on pretty strongly to win."

"The tempo brought her undone the other day. I still think she ran boldly and didn't drop out after over-travelling in the run."

"She's blown those cobwebs out now at the mile. She's had a nice three weeks to get over it and the colts that beat her, they were beaten by two superstars in the Caulfield Guineas last week."

"The fillies in the Guineas this week are nowhere near the colts, and we've put the crossover noseband on."

"She was much more tractable with it in her gallop on Tuesday and if she can do everything right in the run and travel sweetly, she's got a chance."

Gleeson commented that Lara Antipova appeared alert and was given much to consider following her excursion from Cranbourne on Tuesday.

"It was good to take her away from her routine at home," Gleeson added. "She was fresh, on her toes, and you get the best surface for galloping."

"Her coat is the best it has been all prep, her weight is great, her attitude is terrific, and there seems a really good sense of timing, but she will need the luck with a good tempo."

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