Ward’s Classic Chance
9 February, 2018
Thoroughbred
It was only in December when trainer Tony Ward saddled up his first galloper, a little over two months later that horse Ngawi will line up in the $250,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Pinjarra.
Ward, who spent time learning the training caper with Simon Miller, took Ngawi to the races for the first time in the Crystal Slipper on December 2, and since then filly won at her second start, before her most recent run resulted in a fourth to Kiss The Breeze.
The Demerit filly will have to overcome Kiss The Breeze and a wide gate in the feature event again this weekend, after she was dealt barrier nine at Tuesday’s barrier draw.
Ngawi will come into barrier eight after the scratching of Staresandwhispers, and Ward said he had confidence in his filly to take out the event, which will be run at Pinjarra for a third straight year.
“She’s done me proud,” he said.
“If you give her a clear run then she is a strong finisher.
“She is a tough little filly who loves racing and is enjoying herself.
“She could have easily won all her races and if she did she wouldn’t be an outside chance in betting.
“I’m sure she will go well.”
Shaun O’Donnell once again teams up with Ngawi, after they combined to win on January 13.
O’Donnell missed the ride on Ngawi last start, where she was ridden by Peter Knuckey.
Meanwhile, jockey Renee Forrest is hopeful she can spring a surprise in the 1200m event when she takes the ride on the Mike Santich-trained Classic Pro.
The Proart filly finished sixth on debut behind Kiss The Breeze on January 27, where she came from last on the turn, and Forrest said she took plenty of positives from the run.
“I thought her first-up run was really good,” she said.
“She got too far back from a pretty average gate.
“She hit the line really well and she was doing her best work late.”
The Adam Durrant-trained Kiss The Breeze remains a solid $2.15 favourite with TABtouch, with Ngawi a $9 chance, and Classic Pro a $34 chance.