Ken Casellas | PACEPIX
Talented filly Copper Head Lady made an outstanding return to action after an eleven-month absence when she strolled to a most impressive victory in the $21,000 TABtouch Punters Club Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Sweet Lou three-year-old, trained and driven by Ryan Bell, was the $2.90 favourite who sped straight to the front from the No. 5 barrier and set a steady pace before dashing over the final 400m sections in 27.8sec. and 28.8sec. to beat the fast-finishing $41 outsider Our Rich Cargo by three and a half lengths, rating 1.56.8.
“She was out of action because she had a fair time off after her hard season as a two-year-old, and then as she was ready to go around at Sales Classic time earlier this year, she tore a hind hamstring, which needed manipulating and rest,” said Bell.
“No surgery was required, and she has come back bigger and stronger. She is a very nice filly who will be set for the $100,000 Westbred Classic (September 5) and the $150,000 WA Oaks (October 3).”
Copper Head Lady is the fifth foal out of Artistic Copper, who raced 31 times for seven wins, three placings and $100,014, with her most important victory being in the Group 1 Sales Classic for two-year-old fillies in April 2013.
Copper Head Lady, who was purchased by Albert and Julie Walmsley for $40,000 at the 2023 Perth APG yearling sale, has now earned $153,568 from eight starts.