Lyford's Last Minute Call on Ducati George

NEIL Lyford will decide Tuesday morning if his brilliant speedster Ducati George will take his place in the opening heat of the George Singline Memorial (388m) at Gosford.

Winner at eight of his 11 career starts, the other three performances gallant seconds, Ducati George was surprisingly run down right on the line at Ladbrokes Gardens on Friday in 22.96, with Lyford telling the Recorder he suspected almost instantly that all wasn't right with his exciting chaser.

"When I saw the time I had a strong feeling something wasn't right – off the times he's been running he should have gone around the 22.60 mark," said Lyford on Monday.

"I've had him to Peter Yore to go over and he was sore in the chest, it's been needled and I'll decide tomorrow morning whether he starts but at the moment I'd say it's 80/20 that he'll go around.

"Off his sections he should have gone a lot quicker early Friday as well so I'd say he's done it not long after the start. Having a look at the head on video you can tell his action wasn't right either."

Showing tremendous pace to score at Gosford over the 388m last Tuesday in a flying 22.05, setting a remarkable first sectional record of 9.80, Ducati George, a son of Barcia Bale and Premier Mozz, was purchased by Lyford from Tasmanian interests after winning five of his first six starts in the Apple Isle.

Prior to heading to Tassie, the well-bred commodity was sold for a rock bottom price by prominent breeder Kevin Gordon, after failing to set the world on fire at break-in.

"I bought his sister Premier Return from Kevin and had some success with her and when the chance came up to buy Ducati George I was keen but I paid a bit for him," explained Lyford.

"Earlier in the month when he won at Wenty over the 280m in 15.96 we got a double on the night with Ziggy Doll winning as well. We had a pretty good go at them and got our purchase price back – we had a few accounts closed after that night!

"I was in dogs a while back and have only recently returned. I've bought some nice pups off Kevin Gordon; a Kinloch Brae x Emily Jane and a couple by Barcia Bale's from Elcee Jay. I've also bought some pups out of Ando's Mac's sister Rojo Bonito that are by My Bro Fabio and an Sh Avatar x Surpassing as well."

While Lyford is hopeful Ducati George will stretch out to further with time and maturity, the Kulnura-based trainer says for now he's more than happy to work his short-courser through the grades.

"I've spoken to the graders and understand where I can pick up all his B class wins," added Lyford.

"The plan for now is to keep him fit and sound and place him as best I can. Later on I'll start picking out some races for him, Grafton over the July carnival may work in nice for him."

In one of the more engrossing heats at Gosford on Tuesday night, Ducati George (box three) tackles Jason Mackay's Ombre Rose (box seven), a Ladbrokes Gardens winner on Friday in a scorching 22.53.