Terry O'Sullivan says the extra distance of this season's Bagot Handicap, run over 2800 metres for the first time, could be the key for Ladies In Luck posting her first feature race win.Ladies In Luck has had two unsuccessful attempts at stakes level over 1600 metres but has shown significant improvement being trained as stayer and is one of the top chances in Thursday's Listed race at Flemington on Thursday."I don't think she is going to have any trouble with the distance," O'Sullivan said."Sin

Terry O'Sullivan says the extra distance of this season's Bagot Handicap, run over 2800 metres for the first time, could be the key for Ladies In Luck posting her first feature race win.

Ladies In Luck has had two unsuccessful attempts at stakes level over 1600 metres but has shown significant improvement being trained as stayer and is one of the top chances in Thursday's Listed race at Flemington on Thursday.

"I don't think she is going to have any trouble with the distance," O'Sullivan said.

"Since she has got out over the ground she has been running her races out pretty strongly and hopefully she will do it again.

Ladies In Luck came through her first test beyond 2050 metres in impressive fashion when she powered home to beat Only He Knows in the Fileur Handicap (2440m) at Caulfield on December 10.

She backed that up with a gallant 1-1/2 length second to Sunday Adieu in the Comic Court Handicap (2500m) at Flemington on December 20.

The Bagot is being run over 2800 metres on Thursday after being a 2500-metre race.

"She has always shown a bit of ability but she lost the plot there for a while until we got her out in the longer races," O'Sullivan said.

"I thought it was pretty gutsy effort last time as we gave the winner a bit of a cart in to the race.

"At one stage she looked like she was going to lose second place but she fought on strongly the last bit."

Jockey Dean Yendall reported Ladies In Luck pulled hard during the race, adding merit to the performance.

"Hopefully she will settle better on Thursday but the run over the ground last start will probably help her a bit," O'Sullivan said.

Ladies In Luck is the first foal from Miss Dehere and has 1987 Group One Railway Stakes winner Miss Muffet as her second dam.

"There is a bit pedigree there and it would be good to get some black type for her," O'Sullivan said.

"This is probably her chance."

O'Sullivan is trying to train his second Bagot winner after his success with Water Snow in 1993.

Last year he trained Tails Of Triomphe who finished second to Gallopin.

TAB Sportsbet has Ladies In Luck on the third line of Bagot betting at $5.50 while Leica Ding is the $4.60 favourite ahead of Eclipse Stakes winner Eskimo Dan ($5).