News

OVER THE WICKET BOWLS THEM OVER

1st Feb 2008

Gary Portelli has enjoyed great success with yearlings purchased at the Classic Yearling Sale and he has another smart juvenile in the shape of OVER THE WICKET ($85,000 2007 Classic Sale, 2 g Over – Gold Circuit), winner of Saturday's Creative Living Expo Handicap at Rosehill Gardens.

Despite being forced to race three wide all the way, Over The Wicket ran on strongly in the straight under top-weight of 58kg to register his first win from three starts. “I would love to see him in a big field and a truly run race and give him his chance in something a bit stronger,” Portelli said afterwards. “Hopefully we will have his colours up on the winning post over there in a few months time,” he added referring to the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on April 19th.

The William Inglis Classic is another obvious target for Over The Wicket. Following the disruption caused to Sydney racing due to the Equine Influenza outbreak, the 2008 Inglis Classic Race has now been re-scheduled for May 3rd at Royal Randwick - Sydney Cup day. The $500,000 event for juveniles paid up from the 2007 Inglis Classic Sale will still be run over 1200 metres with colts to carry 56.5 kg and fillies 54.5kg.

Earlier in the day, POLAWAY made a winning debut for her breeder Phillip Esplin in the Myer Ladies 5 April Handicap over 1100m. The daughter of Giant’s Causeway is out of the Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, whose yearling filly by Redoute’s Choice is entered for the Australian Easter yearling sale. “Some of the best horses I’ve trained have won their first race start, so her effort today is probably a good indication of her ability.” said winning trainer John O’Shea.

PLAYWRIGHT STARS FOR PREMIER SALE

Fast improving three-year-old PLAYWRIGHT ($75,000 Premier Sale, 3 g Fantastic Light (USA) – Amonistar (USA)) led home an Inglis 1,2,3 in the C S Hayes Stakes (Gr 3) at Flemington. Playwright came from last into the straight to gather in his rivals and win going away at the end of the 1400m over Sandown Guineas winner Schilling ($42,000 Premier Sale) and Viatorian ($70,000 Premier Sale) in an impressive display and is now Australian Guineas bound.

The 2008 Melbourne Premier Sale has two colts and a filly by the multiple Group One winner Fantastic Light (USA) and commences on March 2