John Symons and Sheila Laxon were dealt a cruel blow earlier this year when their potential star Daintree Duke was put down following a paddock incident.

But the Seymour trainers are hoping the new racing season will bring them some better fortune.  The pair has a good team travelling to Kilmore on Sunday, but no doubt the runner that will have the utmost attention will be Flying Sheila (R1 12.55pm).

Flying Sheila (3f Flying Spur-Northeast Sheila by Keltrice) was a $200,000 purchase from the 2008 Inglis Premier Sale and is a half sister to Daintree Duke.

In her only start to date as a two-year old in June, Flying Sheila was well supported but showed signs of greenness and eventually finished right behind the placegetters on an unsuitable heavy track.

Sent for a spell immediately following that run, Flying Sheila has been given time to mature and with some good trial form behind her, looks hard to hold out on Sunday.