Star Staying Duo Set For Association Cup Return

FRIDAY trials at Sandown Park for Brooke and Jamie Ennis prepared stayers Lanfranco and Ella's Babe will determine if the pair head to Wentworth Park on April 5 for the Group 1 Association Cup (720m) heats.

But, Jamie immediately declared he is confident both will be making the trip north.

"And, I won't be making the 11 hour drive just for the practice," Ennis said.

Lanfranco (Feral Franky-Miami Fernando) has not raced since winning the Group 1 Zoom Top at The Meadows on February 8.

"He hit the running rail in a trial, burst a blood vessel and it split open," his trainer added.

"It has taken a while for him to get over it and for him to get back to his best.

"But his recent trials have been great.

"He has never been away from home, and will be having a first look at Wentworth Park which can be difficult for some dogs.

"He will be ring rusty when he runs in the heats, but I expect him to go very well."

Of Ella's Babe (My Bro Fabio-Ella Enchanted), she has not raced since finishing sixth to Ethanol Water in the Group 1 Bold Trease at Sandown on November 30 last year.

"She's been on season," Ennis added.

"We had her on the pill to keep her off, but her form started to go off.

"I stopped the pill and within just 10 days she was back to normal, but she also came on season."

Ella's Babe has been a fine stayer winning the G3 Destini Fireball and also making the G1 Topgun Stayers.

"She is just like her mother in that she takes a good while to get over her season," he added.

"It's been 13 weeks since she came on and only now is she starting to get her racing body shape back."

Ella's Babe has been to Wentworth Park when finishing second in the Group 2 Sydney Cup and Ennis says she loves the track.

"It will not be a worry taking her there first up," he said.

"We are very confident this time in will see a much better version of her."

Lanfranco has started 33 times for 11 wins, seven placings and earnings of $134,000.

Ella's Babe has won nine of her 26 starts and been placed seven times for stakes of $78,000.

The heats of the G1 Association Cup (720m) will be run on April 5 with the $75,000-to-the-winner final on April 12.