READY TO PUT THE HIGHWAY HANGOVER BEHIND THEM

By Graham Potter | Thursday, January 29, 2026

La Gitana and Lady Of Five, the two horses who were left stranded, stuck in gridlock after an accident on the highway last week which resulted in them missing their scheduled runs in the Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies), will both line up in the $200 000 Chairman’s Stakes over 1000m at Caulfield on Saturday.

That Blue Diamond Preview would have been a debut run for La Gitana. The daughter of Home Affairs drew barrier three there and barrier four this Saturday would have pleased trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes.

Team Hayes also has the Godolphin owned Mirador in the Chairman’s lineup. The daughter of Brazen Beau finished second on debut, a full 2.75 lengths behind Big Sky, who she will meet again on Saturday. Big Sky and Mirador started joint favourites at $2.90 on that occasion.

Luke Currie, who was down to ride La Gitana last weekend, had partnered Mirador in that runner-up finish and he will stay with Mirador with Damian Lane picking up the reins on La Gitana.

La Gitana has yet to race, but she has had three jump outs and one trial to bring her along since late September.

The Peter and Will Hulbert trained Lady Of Five, with two starts behind her name, will be the runner with the most race experience in the race and she also has a notable result behind her name.

When she won on debut back in October, she beat Dream Roca home by a margin of just under a length. The fact that Dream Roca came out and won the Karaka Millions (2YO) last Saturday clearly franks that form and justifies Team Hulbert’s decision to make the trip from Brisbane to test the filly in Group company.

Lady Of Five had a jump-out at Pakenham on Tuesday to help blow out the cobwebs (she has not raced since October 25). She also trialled in mid-January.

Last week’s delay on the highway had a sequel with trainer Will Hulbert being fined $2000 by Racing Victoria stewards for a social media post concerning the highway incident … a fine he has indicated he will appeal.

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