3 minute read

Racing and Sports provides two horses to watch coming out of midweek racing on September 8.

Gosford

Race 1: Fangirl (3rd)

One to keep an eye on came early in the Gosford card. A nice filly by the name of Fangirl  caught the eye when charging home from the rear of the field in the first event of the day. What looks another smart type from the Chris Waller yard, the daughter of Sebring resumed for her second career run, stepping out in the maiden over 1200m.

Under the riding of Tim Clark, the filly was restrained to the tail of the field from the widest gate and travelled there for the majority. Passing the 600m, Fangirl who at that point still had the whole field in front of her, seemed to be left flat footed when the tempo quickened up front.

It was then what the filly displayed in the straight that screamed back me in her next start. Clark managed to find clear running when straightening and from there Fangirl let down forcefully, although at times a bit green, in a strong charge to the line to finish third.

Prior to Wednesday's effort, Fangirl was marked a $101 shot in the Flight Stakes (Oct 2 – 1600m) with tab.com.au and now finds herself on the fourth line of betting at $26. Could be one to follow moving forward.

Sandown

Race 8: Emissary (2nd)

Another one worth keeping an eye on is English import Emissary. Now trained out of the Michael Moroney camp, the son of Kingman made his Australian debut in the last race of the day at Sandown-Hillside over 1800m, near a year on since last running.

Under the riding of Craig Williams, the gelding jumped well from his wide barrier but drifted back to get cover in the early goings. Passing the 1200m, Williams got on the back of Think 'N' Fly when sent forward, with the aim of improving the four-year-old's position. Unfortunately, the gelding was posted three-wide-without-cover when approaching the 800m but only 2L off the leader. While it took the gelding half the straight to wind up, passing the 200m Emissary hit the front. Challengers were coming from left and right, but the gelding showed great courage as he kicked away from his immediate threats. It was only within the last few rides that Emissary was headed, going down by 0.2L to the fast-finishing Bea Tempted. 

The lightly-raced type will no doubt take plenty of benefit from his first start off a lengthy lay off and will be looking to get out further in trip as he continues his campaign. Emissary stands a $51 chance in both The Metropolitan (Oct 2 – 2400m) and Caulfield Cup – in from $101 (Oct 16 – 2400m) and $101 in the Melbourne Cup (Nov 2 – 3200m) at tab.com.au.