By Neil Evans
The wraps are good, and the second of two recent trials was better, now for the much-anticipated debut for Canberra-based Encantado.
The four-year-old steps out for the first time in a Country Boosted Maiden Plate over 1300m at Tuesday’s feature Goulburn meeting.
Veteran jockey Richard Bensley.Credit: Eddie Jim
Trained by Rob Potter for a wide ownership group and to be ridden by veteran hoop Richard Bensley, Encantado has done little or nothing wrong leading up to his first race.
A big and powerfully built son of prolific sprint sire Written Tycoon, the gelding was given a nice easy trial late last year before being turned out.
But it was his recent one-off open class trial win over 900m at Nowra which sent tongues wagging.
Cruising to the front on soft ground, he bounded along almost effortlessly, barely out of second gear yet still clocked 34.80 seconds for his final 600m in winning by a length. It could have been a bigger margin.
Encantado will carry plenty of gear adjustments into his first run on what is likely to be a Soft 7 surface.
The stable is keen to target some bigger provincial and metropolitan races, or even a trip to Queensland if the horse’s progression matches his raw ability.
The Goulburn meeting also represents an important stepping stone for emerging and well-bred filly Lichester who is gunning for consecutive wins at just her third start in a Benchmark 58 Hcp over 1500m.
A daughter of the great Irish galloper Ribchester, Lichester defied the market second-up at Wyong, leading all the way through heavy ground to claim her maiden at double-figure odds.
Trained by Joe Pride at Warwick Farm, she has seemingly returned a much stronger horse after failing in two runs last spring.
Lichester is out of a mare by multiple Group-winning UK stallion Echo Of Light making her the best-bred runner on the program.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
