Into the depths of winter but racing in Aust is a 24 seven, 12 months of the year pursuit so we power on. A few kilometres to cover on the weekend commencing with Newcastle Saturday where lightly raced NZ bred 3 year old, ANKLE TAP (by SHOCKING) gets out to a mile for the first time on the spacious Broadmeadow circuit. He could improve at massive odds.
On the sunny Gold Coast, a couple of 2 year old fillies return for Steve O’Dea. FRANCISCA, a daughter of LOPE DE VEGA, steps out in an 1100m Maiden following a few promising trials. She ran into HOUTZEN on debut back in December so providing there are no hidden HOUTZEN’S in this, she should be running well from a good draw. Stablemate SETOKA (by SEBRING), a victim of luckless runs in transit at her opening two starts, looks to have landed on the wrong side of Lady Luck again having been made 2nd emergency. She’s trialed nicely so could easily figure if she jags a run for her big group of exclusively female owners.
The PROVEN train heads down to Nowra Sunday where John Bateman’s lightly raced PENTIRE 4 year old, COUNTERFIRE has to contend with the outside gate if he’s to record his second win. The gelding was most impressive in taking care of maidens at the same track a month ago after not racing for almost a year. He’s a handy stayer in the making who’ll enjoy getting out to 1600m for the first time this preparation.
The rest of the week is a blank though BELLA SCENICA is likely to trial after the last at Goulburn Friday JUL 7.