Group 1 placed filly GOTTA KISS kicks off her Queensland summer campaign at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
The daughter of NOT A SINGLE DOUBT is the 60kg topweight in the 1000m QTIS 3YO Handicap following a two-year-old campaign that yielded three wins and four placings from 8 starts.
Co-trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted are preparing GOTTA KISS for another tilt at the Magic Millions carnival in January after a disastrous experience at the 2020 meeting when a traffic incident delayed her arrival on course to just 15 minutes before the $2 million 2YO event, resulting in a 12th placed finished behind AWAY GAME.
With form around SEPTEMBER RUN and ROTHFIRE, GOTTA KISS is likely to be one of the favourites in next year’s Magic Millions 3YO Guineas but firstly, she needs to perform on Saturday. Her recent trials would indicate she has come back in fine order but one can never know with two-year-olds transitioning into their three-year-old season.
GOTTA KISS will be joined by Mooloolaba Cup contender RECKLESS CHOICE and first-starter VANTAN EXPRESS on the float to the Sunshine Coast.
South of the border, STOCKMAN lines up over 2000m at Kembla Grange’s annual Gong meeting following two narrow defeats over 1800m and 1400m.
BLACKBOOKER
RICH LISTER started second-favourite on debut at the Sunshine Coast last Friday but endured a torrid run from a wide gate. She was entitled to tire late and finished fourth. Think she is worth another chance at her next run considering she beat the promising EXCEL IN THE SUN in a trial last month.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Hawkesbury Thursday November 19
BM68 Handicap 1300m:
MACCOMO
Joe Pride/Mitchell Bell
Comment: Shooting for a hat-trick after two determined front-running wins. Drawn the inside here and will take catching again.
Rosehill Saturday November 20
3YO Maiden Handicap 1400m:
HIGH TRIBUTE
Joe Pride/Regan Bayliss
Comment: Left a bit flat-footed in a stop-start affair at Hawkesbury. Certainly looking for 1400m now and should be close to peak fitness.
Orange Friday November 20
BM58 Handicap 1300m:
WAR DECK
John Bateman/Greg Ryan
Comment: Solid fourth over 1100m first-up off no trials. Will improve significantly into this run and is a winner second-up.
Gosford Saturday November 21
Maiden Handicap 1200m:
SEBERTON
Joe Pride/Rory Hutchings
Comment: First-up since June. Always shown glimpses of ability but has been slow to learn proper racing manners. Recent trials encouraging so wouldn’t be surprised to see the penny drop now.
Kembla Saturday November 21
BM78 Handicap 2000m:
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Been bloused late in his last two starts on heavy tracks. Faces a good track over a suitable distance for the first time in his short career and should be right in the mix again.
Gold Coast Saturday November 21
Open Handicap 1200m:
COOL SEQUENCE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Travis Wolfgram
Comment: Well beaten in a strong race first-up over 1100m. Wants 1200m now so as to obtain a softer lead which has produced his best results.
BM65 Handicap 1800m:
TOO HOT TO HOLD
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Passed her first test beyond a mile last start, beaten only 0.6L in a blanket finish. Rarely far away and has to be considered a chance again.
Sunshine Coast Saturday November 21
Mooloolaba Cup Handicap 1600m:
RECKLESS CHOICE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Not the best of luck last time when poking up on the inside at Doomben over 1350m. Much better suited up to a mile at the Sunshine Coast. 2nd to THE CANDY MAN in this last year.
QTIS 3YO Handicap 1000m:
GOTTA KISS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Group 1 performed filly who will have to be on her game first-up with a hefty steadier of 60kg. 1000m is short of her best and she has bigger targets in mind, but there’s no substitute for class.
QTIS 2YO Handicap 1000m:
VANTAN EXPRESS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: First-starter who has shown promise in his training and trials. Far from the finished product but has above average ability.
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