By Nick Berney
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Pierossa has been a victim of circumstances this preparation, but the improving filly gets her chance to atone at Gosford on Thursday in the Risk & Safety Solutions Maiden Plate (1600m).
First-up at Newcastle she had excuses and had too much to do last start at Kembla Grange after starting the $4.50 favourite.
Racing returns to Gosford on Thursday.
The lightly raced galloper got too far back in the run and had to make a long-wide sustained sprint.
Further, she savaged the line – clocking the fastest final 200m split of the entire meeting – and ran on into second place.
All key indicators, including her sectional/ratings profile, suggest she will excel stepping out in trip and is set to peak third-up.
In addition, she can settle closer in the smaller field with a favourable map position and will appreciate a drying surface.
It’s worth noting that the jockey/trainer combination has been lethal with a historical strike rate of 14.3% at a profit on turnover of 12.1%.
The other early fancied runner and key danger is Fun Sunday, who comes through the Listed Reginald Allen Quality (1400m).
She started a respectable $21 there and had no luck after racing wide throughout.
In-form jockey Dylan Gibbons takes over the riding duties, and she drops significantly in grade.
All eyes will be on the Class 1 over 1200m in the final event, where multiple runners are resuming.
The Mark Newnham-trained Assiduity profiles well for this event and has a strong platform leading in after two solid hit-outs at the trials. Additionally, he ran fast times winning both of those heats, albeit being ridden out to score.
First-up last prep the gelding had all favours, but he won in style and saluted at the short price of $1.40.
The four-year-old is still relatively lightly raced, is a nice type and will roll forward from the middle draw.
Rival Egyptian Tycoon bolted in on debut at Kensington before he was tested against tougher opposition.
The four-year-old maps ideally, is proven on the rain-affected ground and expect him to sprint well fresh.
Best Bet: Race 2, No.8 – Pierossa
Next Best: Race 8, No.4 – Assiduity
