Make Space For Ward Filly In Karrakatta
16 March, 2019
Thoroughbred
Trainer Tony Ward has a knack of being able to find a good two-year-old.
Last year, he had $2,000 buy Ngawi perform admirably at blacktype level.
Fast forward 12 months, he now has another live hope in this year’s juvenile features with $5,000 purchase Spacegirl, after she took out the Guinness Plate (1200m) at Ascot today.
The Planet Five filly was only fair on debut last month, when unplaced behind Niccovi.
Since then, Ward sent the filly back to trials where she finished third to recent winner Divide The Sea.
Jockey Shaun O’Donnell was forced to settle three-wide on the back of Jenja and was quick to pounce on the leaders on the turn for home.
Spacegirl then powered away over the last furlong to record a 1 3/4 length win to Semigel and Downforce.
Ward said he would consider paying the $5,500 late entry fee to get Spacegirl into next month’s Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
“Because of the way she behaved at her first start, we didn’t nominate her and we thought we’d just get her going,” he said.
“We may look at a late nom now…I’ll definitely think about it.
“First start, you’ve got to forget, but her trials have been good and she showed a really good turn-of-foot.”
In a further boost for Ward, Ngawi has been back in work for three weeks, as she gets closer to a return to the track.
Meanwhile, trainer Bernie Miller has also unveiled blacktype plans for progressive galloper Cup Night, after he took out the Seppelt Wines Handicap (1200m).
Cup Night was given a charm run by jockey Patrick Carbery from barrier two and went on to score by a length to Henty Gal.
Miller said he would give Cup Night another chance at blacktype level in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1500m) next month.
Tim Walker