It has been over 12 months since Mimi’s Award last tasted success but the Lindsay Park stable expect the mare to have the right conditions at The Valley.

Mimi’s Award lost a race on protest at Flemington two starts ago after being first past the post, while a sit and sprint affair brought about her undoing at that track at her most recent outing.

Prepared by Ben and J D Hayes, Mimi’s Award faces a class drop on Saturday when she runs in the Easy Foam Handwash Handicap (2500m) which is also coupled with a 2kg claim for apprentice Josh Richards.

Mimi’s Award was last successful in the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville in May 2021 which came on the back of wins at Pakenham and Wangaratta.

While Mimi’s Award has been winless for a stretch of time, Ben Hayes said the mare was deserving of a victory after her third-place finish behind Horrifying in the Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) on July 16.

“She was very unlucky two starts back to lose the protest, but I must say I had my trainers hat on for that result,” Hayes said.

“You never like losing that way as you want the best for your horses.

“Last time was a bit frustrating. They absolutely walked and she rolled forward in a sit and sprint race.

“She was outsprinted, not outstayed. The one positive out of the race was they went so slow, it was only a 700-metre sprint home.

“She’s come out of that race really well. We’re dropping back in class to 78 grade, which is the easiest race she has run in for a long time, and we’re also claiming.

“She’s going to get weight relief in weaker competition and she’s in great order.

“Her last three or four runs have been excellent, and she deserves to get another win for her owners.”