Horse Racing News: Feels Playful Targets Comeback at Belmont

Trainer Paul Hunter is counting on an encouraging trial at Lark Hill last week to be the catalyst for a return to form from his talented mare Feels Playful.

The mare had only one start in her previous campaign, where she finished more than five lengths behind Pompey over 1400m at Ascot. She will now line up in the upcoming TABtouch-Have You Got The Touch Handicap (1400m) at Belmont on Saturday.

Feels Playful’s Encouraging Trial

Feels Playful heads into Saturday’s event off the back of winning an 1100m trial at Lark Hill earlier this month. Paul Hunter, who also co-owns the mare, said the trial was reassuring ahead of her racetrack return.

“A couple of her early trials were underwhelming, and she was probably at the crossroads a bit,” Hunter told The Races WA. “Holly (Watson) rode her in the trial and said she was happy, so we were happy.”

Hunter explained that Feels Playful had been dealing with a few minor issues, which they have now addressed. “We think she’s back somewhere near right,” he said.

Feels Playful’s Past Performances

Feels Playful burst onto the scene at the start of last year, winning the Listed Challenge Stakes (1500m) and finishing second in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m). Hunter has his sights set on the mares races over the Ascot carnival, but he said he wouldn’t make any long-term plans and would take it “run by run” with the mare.

“As far as a pass mark for Saturday, I’m not sure, but I know at her best she will be competitive,” he said. “There’s a couple of races coming up for her over the winter and if she comes through them well that’s (mares races) what we would aim at.”

Feels Playful is currently a $21 chance with TABtouch for Saturday’s event, with Celebrity Prince the $4 favorite.

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