An off-season return to winning form has satisfied trainer Peter Morgan that Lucky Penny is over an injury that scuttled her last campaign and convinced him to try again next spring.
Armed with the proof that the mare isn't carrying any lingering problems, Morgan will now consider sending Lucky Penny back to the paddock after her first-up win in Saturday's Victorian Hardwood Floors Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
"We'd been hoping for something from her last spring but she had an accident at home on the morning she was due to run on Caulfield Cup day," Morgan said.
"It finished her for the spring, but now I might put her out now and have another go."
Lucky Penny had won three on end last autumn including a Listed success in Adelaide and struck a heavy track on her spring return in the Group Three Cockram Stakes at Caulfield in August.
Starting favourite, Lucky Penny ($4.40) responded gamely to a kind ride from Darren Gauci to score by three-quarters of a length from Spot On Maggie ($12) with the same margin to Sweet Ella ($6.50) in third place.
Morgan is hoping Lucky Penny will be joined in the spring by her stablemate Oasis Bloom who Morgan regards as a Caulfield Cup prospect.
The winner of the Group Three Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley in September, Oasis Bloom was found to have bone chips in a knee after running fourth to classy mare Appearance in the Myer Classic at Flemington.
"She's over the problem she had and will be back in work soon," Morgan said.
"I won't be surprised if she measure up to a race like the Caulfield Cup."