Champion jockey Damian Lane will reunite with talented Warrnambool mare Wishlor Lass on her return to racing in the $175,000 listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. 
Wishlor Lass, the winner of six of her 11 starts including two Group 3 races, has pleased trainer Symon Wilde in the lead-up to the 1400-metre event after recovering from surgery to correct “kissing spine”. 
Lane rode Wishlor Lass in both her Group 3 wins last spring — in the Ladies’ Day Vase at Caulfield and the Tesio Stakes at The Valley.
The lightly raced six-year-old has had trials at Stawell and Colac in preparation for her spring campaign.
“We’re really happy with how she’s going after her back operation,” Wilde said. 
“Damian’s a world-class jockey and will be able to give us a great insight into how she’s going after the race. 
“She’s a very good mare but we knew there were back issues at the end of her last preparation, hence the operation. 
“A lot of horses have the operation. There are some people who’ll tell you it’s not ideal but on the other hand Alligator Blood had it (and came back as good as ever). 
“We just thought it was worth her having the operation and we’ve got our fingers crossed for a good campaign.”
Wilde says there are numerous black-type races open for Wishlor Lass in the spring if she makes a successful return on Saturday. 
Stan stands up early
Young local trainer Adam Chambers was pleasantly surprised by the maiden victory of Stan Tough at Warrnambool last week. 
Stan Tough ($16) got up in the last couple of strides at his second race start to defeat hot favourite Tamahine in the 1400-metre maiden.
“It was a good win,” Chambers said. “I thought he might have needed a bit more ground to show his best. 
“His debut run at Casterton (fourth over 1400 metres) was full of merit. 
“James McNamara bred the horse and races him with a few of his friends. 
“He’s thrived in his trackwork and I’m sure we’ll see the best of him over more ground. We’ll just see how he pulls up from this race before planning his next start.”
Jericho in Believer’s sights
Group 1-winning local trainer Aaron Purcell took the honours with a double at the Warrnambool metting, scoring with Pendle Hill ($1.70 favourite) in a 1700-metre maiden and The True Believer ($4.20) in a 3100-metre benchmark 64.
Linda Meech and Daniel Stackhouse were the winning riders.
Purcell said Pendle Hill was heading to the spelling paddock following his win.
“I’ve got a bit of an opinion of Pendle Hill,” he said. “He’s had four runs and hasn’t done anything wrong. 
“He’s been running on pure ability and with a break under his belt I’m sure he’ll come back a better horse. I think with a bit of time he’ll develop into a handy middle distance performer.”
The rich Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on December 1 may be on the agenda for The True Believer.
 “I think we may go down the Jericho Cup path,” Purcell said. “He’s an out-and-out stayer, and if he doesn’t get a start in the Jericho Cup final he’ll run well in the consolation race.”
Thunder strikes
Veteran Warrnambool trainer Ken Elford was all smiles after his underrated galloper Thunderanlightning won a $35,000 benchmark 58 race at his home track.
Elford described the victory over 1300 metres as “one for the battlers”.
“We’ve only got a couple of horses in work but we’re always doing our best,” he said. 
“Thunderanlightning has been a troublesome horse and I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Luke Williams, who’s done a great job mending his barrier issues. 
“We’ve only got a couple of horses in work so it’s always rewarding to get a win against the bigger stables.”
Teo Nugent, an old boy of Warrnambool’s Brauer College, rode Thunderanlightning to last week’s victory.
Godspeed comes good
Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman acknowledged the patience of He’s Godspeed’s owners after the lightly raced four-year-old won in 0-58 grade at Donald on Saturday.
Under the urgings of Jason Maskiell, He’s Godspeed ($13-$9) did just enough to defeat Aoife in the 1350 metre contest.
“I’m over the moon for his owners,” Bowman said. “They’ve been rewarded for their patience. 
“It’s a great result for them. He’s now won two of 11 and with an ounce of luck he might have won another one but he’s getting difficult to place. 
“I’ll have a look at the calendar and hopefully there’ll be another suitable race for him.”
He’s Godspeed took his stake earnings to $51,845 with the win.