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Well-bred Neasham filly on target for debut

3 minute read

Annabel Neasham and Chad Schofield will chase back-to-back wins in the Widden Stakes.

JOCKEY : Chad Schofield
JOCKEY : Chad Schofield

Annabel Neasham will rely on Pushpa to fly the flag for the stable in the juvenile races at Rosehill, hopeful the filly can emulate the feat of stablemate Learning To Fly by winning the Widden Stakes on debut.

While Neasham won't have a runner in the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) for the colts and geldings, she has seen enough from Pushpa to be confident of a competitive showing.

"We're a bit light on the colt front," Neasham said.

"We've got nothing in the Canonbury (Stakes), but we might have Pushpa in the Widden (Stakes).

"She is a Pierata filly who won a trial last week and she's a nice filly."

A $480,000 Magic Millions buy, Pushpa is out of Oregon's Day, a Listed winner at two who went on to capture a trio of Group races up to 1800 metres.

The youngster has trialled three times in preparation for Saturday, winning her latest 900m heat at Rosehill where she sat three-wide on the speed before pulling clear in a promising performance.

Neasham and Chad Schofield combined to claim the Widden Stakes 12 months ago with Learning To Fly, that filly winning the feature at her first start and following it with victories in the Inglis Millennium and Reisling Stakes before being knocked out of contention in the Golden Slipper when she suffered severe interference approaching the home turn.

The Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) will also be the kick-off point for Gimcrack Stakes winner Manaal, along with Tulloch Lodge filly Lady Of Camelot, who finished fourth as favourite in the Gimcrack.

The Canonbury Stakes (1100m) has attracted a field of eight, led by Godolphin youngster Traffic Warden, a Caulfield winner in December, along with Prost and Fearless, who both resume after finishing third and fourth respectively in the Breeders' Plate.

Neasham will have at least one runner in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) with in-form mare Lady Laguna returning from a confidence-building Queensland stint, while Percy Sykes Stakes winner Kristilli is a dual acceptor for the Group 3 sprint and a benchmark race later on the program.

Lady Laguna is on a hat-trick having captured the Listed Nudgee Stakes and Magic Millions fillies and mares' at her past two starts, while Kristilli is bidding to recapture her juvenile form after failing to fire in two spring runs.

Neasham also confirmed Learning To Fly, who had her second trial back at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, would have an exhibition gallop before resuming in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), while she was yet to lock in plans for veteran stable star Zaaki but said he would definitely be back at the races.

"I was with him (on Friday), he is down pre-training on the beach," Neasham said of Zaaki.

"He looks great. I haven't picked out a target yet, but you'll see him again."


Racing and Sports

Rosehill

Saturday, 03rd February 2024

5
14:50
(local)

WIDDEN STAKES (G3)

Age: 2yo Sex: F Type: OPEN
AUD $251,000
1100m TURF GOOD
5
14:50
(local)
AUD $251,000
1100m GOOD

WIDDEN STAKES (G3)

Age: 2yo Sex: F Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 6. LADY OF CAMELOT (AUS) 2yo F
WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) - MISS DEBUTANTE (AUS)
TIM CLARK
G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT
$1.6
54.5kg
Go Bloodstock Australia (Mgr: Sir O G Glenn)
2nd 1. MANAAL (AUS) 2yo F
TASSORT (AUS) - RED LODGE (USA)
TOMMY BERRY
MICHAEL FREEDMAN
$9.5
57.5kg
Emirates Park (Mgr: N A H Lootah)
3rd 9. WAVE BREAKER (AUS) 2yo F
PIERATA (AUS) - OCEAN TEMPEST (AUS)
KERRIN MCEVOY
PETER & PAUL SNOWDEN
$15
54.5kg
D G Morgan, Ms A P English & J Drake

Sales Information

4th 4. EXTREME DIVA (AUS) 2yo F
EXTREME CHOICE (AUS) - ON A GIVEN DAY (AUS)
ZAC LLOYD
ANTHONY CUMMINGS
$31
54.5kg

Sales Information

5th 8. THE EYES HAVE IT (AUS) 2yo F
BRUTAL (NZ) - KATIE'S EYES (USA)
DYLAN GIBBONS
NATHAN DOYLE
$81
54.5kg

Sales Information

6th 2. ALINEA (AUS) 2yo F
WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) - SERENA BAY (AUS)
REGAN BAYLISS
G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT
$9
54.5kg

Sales Information

7th 7. PUSHPA (AUS) 2yo F
PIERATA (AUS) - OREGON'S DAY (AUS)
CHAD SCHOFIELD
ANNABEL NEASHAM
$26
54.5kg

Sales Information

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