Ryan keeps faith in Love's A Fantasy

Gerald Ryan has decided to use winkers for the first time on Love's A Fantasy in a bid to sharpen up a mare susceptible to near misses.

The trainer hopes the gear change will coax the six-year-old to the line in a Benchmark 82 Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Since winning her first start at Gosford in July, 2015, Love's A Fantasy has been a source of frustration with only two victories in her next 24 starts.

Love's A Fantasy has seven minor placings over that time frame, and on nine occasions she trailed the winner by two lengths or less.

"She never gets beaten by much," Ryan said.

"She always runs honest races and keeps finishing somewhere between a length and a half and 2-1/2 lengths behind them."

Winkers are not as restrictive as blinkers and Ryan hopes they will lead to a change of fortune.

"One day things will fall into place for her. You can't fault the mare," Ryan said.

Love's A Fantasy's most recent victory was over 1400 metres at Warwick Farm in July on a soft track and Ryan was hoping the predicted rain came.

"She has good wet track form so a bit of rain might help her," Ryan said.

"She'll get back, wind up and finish somewhere amongst them."