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Trainer Brad Widdup is banking on a gear change aiding promising two-year-old filly Night Flyer at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
Hawkesbury's leading trainer, keen to add to his tally of 37 winners so far this season, has opted for blinkers on Night Flyer in the Blakes Marine Provincial & Country Maiden (1100m).
Widdup's brother-in-law Christian Reith will ride the All Too Hard filly, favoured on the strength of two excellent performances at her only runs to date.
Night Flyer on debut chased home stablemate Switched in a Kembla Grange 2YO Maiden (1000m) on May 21 and then finished fourth to Leviathan in a similar race over 1100m on the Kensington track on June 10.
"I'm sure the blinkers will help Night Flyer focus better," Widdup said. "She has worn them in work since the Kensington race and this does look a suitable opportunity for her to break through even though she is taking on older horses."
Widdup will rely on Night Flyer as he has decided to bypass the event with his other acceptor Islands because of an awkward draw and wait for a Kembla Grange assignment on Thursday.
Widdup's other Hawkesbury representative Run For Glory begins his career in the Hawkesbury Gazette 2YO Maiden Handicap (1300m) and will race in winkers.
Hawkesbury co-trainers Mitch and Desiree Kearney will oppose Night Flyer with lightly-raced two-year-old Heza Gentleman – and a victory would be pretty special for the couple.
Heza Gentleman is the first foal of the Hard Spun mare Silk Spun, who gave Mitch Kearney his first win when he started out training on his own at Hawkesbury in 2014.
Heza Gentleman was having only his second start when an excellent second to Lucky Siren in a Goulburn Maiden (1000m) on June 14 against older horses.
The Kearneys also will start last start Goulburn winner Quick Spin in the Polytrack Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m).
Godolphin's James Cummings looks set a big day with three early favorites and a second favorite in four of the seven races.
His favorites are Canzonet, Secretively and Waka while Mid Air is second favorite.
Canzonet, a three-year-old by Exceed and Excel, has been gelded since finishing second at Gosford in February at only his second start. He won an 800m Kembla Grange trial on June 12 and will race in blinkers.
