3 minute read
Whether or not Plymstock is there on Golden Slipper Day in a couple of months, her debut win at Randwick on Saturday signalled the start of the Godolphin march towards the world’s richest two-year-old race.
In taking out the Heineken 3 Handicap (1000m), the filly emulated her half-brother who also won on debut and contested the 2017 Golden Slipper at his third race start.
Trainer James Cummings is keeping his feet on the ground about Plymstock, who is $34 with TAB in the $5m Longines Golden Slipper run on March 19, but said it's clear the daughter of Ribchester is a talent and there's no telling where she'll end up.
"She's done a really good job on debut,'' Cummings said.
"Like a lot of these two-year-olds she's growing still and putting it all together but she enjoyed the nice pace of five furlongs and was nice and strong late.
"Her half-brother ran in the Golden Slipper, it all got a bit much for him on that occasion but he's a multiple Group 1 winner now and she's a valuable filly for us and for the farm.
"I think we will just tread carefully but it will be interesting to see what she's able to do if we put a little bit more pressure on her."
It's easy to let history influence thoughts around what might happen but it's worth noting that previous victors of this two-year-old race include past Golden Slipper winners Stay Inside (2021) and Estijaab (2018).
Jockey Tim Clark settled Plymstock ($11) in the second half of the field and said when they pulled out up the rise she showed a real competitive spirit to run down early leader Deep Expectation ($7.50) with Emperor ($4.60), who made his run with the winner, a close third.
"That was most impressive. She settled back off them and travelled well throughout,'' Clark said.
"She had a bit of work to do once we straightened up but she quickened up nicely, went through her gears well, especially when the horse to my outside came to her it surged her on.
"(This race) has produced some good two-year-olds and she couldn't have been more impressive there."
Punter's Intelligence sectional data showed Plymstock ran her last 600m in 33.77, which was the race's second fastest behind the eye-catching beaten favourite Wild Card who posted a 33.54.
Godolphin's two-year-old charge continues at Rosehill next weekend with Kirkham Plate winner and Golden Gift placegetter Ojai likely to run in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) and Rakomelo, a half-brother to Group 1 winner Savatiano, resuming in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m).
Breeders' Plate runner-up Zambezi River, who was scratched from Saturday's race, is also likely to line up in the Canonbury.
Cummings said there's every chance Plymstock will be given the opportunity to measure up to the major two-year-old races coming up.
"She's nominated for the good races and we'll give that consideration,'' he said.
"As long as she keeps thriving and heading the right way we'll raise the bar. I can see her running in a good race that's for sure."
