3 minute read
Bargain buy Overriding will face her sternest test when she takes on city grade at Randwick.
Up-and-coming filly Overriding has already rewarded the faith of trainer Nathan Doyle and her biggest payday might be yet to come.
The Newcastle trainer was drawn to the filly's athleticism when he spied her at the yearling sales and being a daughter of unfashionable sire Star Turn, he picked her up for just $35,000.
With three wins from five starts, Overriding's prizemoney tally is already more than double her purchase price and if she can add another victory in Saturday's Vinery Stallions Handicap (1300m) at Randwick, she will take her bank to over $160,000.
"We bought her as a yearling from the Adelaide Magic Millions sale for $35,000 and she has more than done her job so far," Doyle said.
"She moved like an athlete and had an athletic walk on her. She was a nice style of horse, so she was worth the risk at that price.
"She has plenty of strength and she's quite a tough horse, she loves her feed and she is doing everything right that way."
Overriding comes to town for the first time on Saturday off the back of two classy wins at her home track of Newcastle.
She stalked the speed and pulled clear to score first-up, then showed another string to her bow when making a long run from back in the field to chase down her rivals last start.
Doyle believes the three-year-old is still on an upward spiral as she continues to mature and grow.
"She is starting to learn her race craft, she used to have a really high head carriage and now she's starting to lower it and flatten out," he said.
"She is heading the right way.
"She deserves her opportunity and it's the right race for her as well. I think she is more than up to that field."
Koby Jennings has ridden Overriding at her past two starts and sticks with her on Saturday, while Regan Bayliss partners stablemate Super Bright in the opening race.
The latter just missed when runner-up to Deep Expectation at Warwick Farm last start and Doyle can make a case for her breaking a 15-month winning drought.
"She's been an unlucky mare and she deserves a city win," Doyle said.
"She has drawn a touch wide but I don't think it's too big of a worry from the 1100-metre chute at Randwick.
"Even if she is three-deep with a bit of cover, they usually run along quite quickly in those Midways and she will be very strong late again."