Beach work has Skirt The Law primed for rebound in Sapphire Stakes at Randwick

Tony Gollan mare Skirt The Law has overcome her health issues with some work at the beach ahead of her next target at Randwick on Saturday.

Brisbane’s leading trainer Tony Gollan is confident life on the beach has classy sprinter Skirt The Law primed for the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The four-year-old mare has battled “feet issues” after finishing a disappointing eighth in the $1.5m Magic Millions QTIS Open over 1300m on the Gold Coast on January 17, a race won by stablemate Hidden Wealth with Tommy Berry on board.

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But some remediation work on the beach at top Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher’s facility Bobs Farm in Newcastle has Skirt The Law ready for a comeback in Group 2 company in the 1200m contest for fillies and mares in Sydney worth $300,000.

The James Cummings-trained Godolphin mare Commemorative is the early $2.50 favourite with TAB and will start from the widest gate, next to Skirt The Law in barrier 12.

Group 1 champion Lady Laguna was paying $8.50 on Wednesday afternoon, behind the Chris Waller-trained Olentia ($5) and Maher’s Estriella ($7) while Skirt The Law is a $34 shot.

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“She appears to be in great shape and this seems to be a logical option before we send her back to the beach and then we’ll bring her back here to Queensland,” Gollan revealed.

“She had some feet issues and that’s why we sent her down to the beach.

“Seeing the effectiveness that facility has had for a lot of Ciaron’s horses, we thought we’d give it a go.

“If you look at her trial in Newcastle last week (April 2), it appears to be working well.

“She’s very sharp, very bright. Obviously these races are never easy at Randwick during The Championships but she’s always had the quality to be in this grade.

“It’s not like she was never good enough. The fact that she’s a healthy and sound horse, and with Jamie Melham on board, she’ll get every chance.”

Skirt The Law has spent time at the beach to overcome feet issues in readiness for the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Skirt The Law won her first three races, including the then $2m Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January 2023, but has not saluted since that sensational victory after a few health issues kept her sidelined.

The lightly raced mare missed a summer campaign in 2023-24 after suffering bone chips in her knee due to racing on rock-hard tracks in Victoria during the 2023 spring.

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Meanwhile, Gollan said he was likely to resume star gelding Hidden Wealth in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 3.

“He jumped out on Monday and he’s coming along beautifully,” Gollan said of Hidden Wealth, who has won almost $1.5m in prizemoney.

“I’ll talk to his owners this week because there’s a couple of options for him.

“He’ll most likely have another soft jumpout and then I’m leaning towards kicking him off in the Victory Stakes and into the rest of the winter carnival.”

Originally published as Beach work has Skirt The Law primed for rebound in Sapphire Stakes at Randwick