Australia: Love Takes Time gets to show potential in Mornington handicap

The Irish-bred filly Love Takes Time has the pedigree to be a star, and could develop into such a runner in Australia in the near future.

Love Takes Time, who starts in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Mornington Racecourse near Melbourne on Thursday, is by the world-renowned stallion Galileo and is a half-sister to the 2011 group stakes winner Precious Lorraine.

Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Love Takes Time won her debut in a maiden race at a mile at Moe Racecourse on April 25, closing from last in a field of five to win by a about a neck.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

The Mornington race does not appear to pose any trouble for Love Takes Time in her first start against winners. She is part of a field of 13 in the sixth race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, or 7:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Love Takes Time will be ridden for the first time by Damien Thornton, who will appreciate the mount on a leading runner. Thornton won just three races from 50 mounts from Sept. 14 through Sunday.

Even though Love Takes Time has not raced at Mornington, the Freedman stable is based there, a positive for the filly.

The handicap is essentially an allowance race for non-winners of two. Zoumon, trained by the high profile stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, has a similar record to Love Takes Time, having won his debut in a maiden race at six furlongs at Kyneton Racecourse on Sept. 21.

A gelding, Zoumon ran near the front in his maiden race win and could have a similar trip in this field.

The filly La Spezia will need a patient trip to play a meaningful role. She drew the rail, which is not a major hindrance considering she tends to race as a stalker.

La Spezia won a maiden race in April in her fourth start and has not raced since she finished fifth in a handicap at about 1 3/8 miles at Sale Racecourse at the end of April.