Queen’s Gamble is poised to make her mark against some of Sydney’s top fillies in the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick. Trainer Matthew Smith, however, has a compelling historical comparison to justify his faith in her ability to hold her own.
Smith prepared Hurtle Myrtle, who competed in all four legs of the 2009 Princess Series, finishing in the top three in three of them. This included a third-place finish behind More Joyous in the prestigious Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).
The subsequent autumn, Hurtle Myrtle narrowly missed a major upset when she was beaten only late by the star performer More Joyous in the Surround Stakes (1400m), a race held at Warwick Farm that year.
“She was good as a three-year-old. One day at Warwick Farm, Hurtle Myrtle ran against More Joyous. More Joyous was about $1.20 and Hurtle Myrtle headed her with about fifty (metres) to go before More Joyous kicked back and won the race and I thought, oh my God,” Smith recalled.
“This filly is similar. A scopey type of filly who is unassuming.
“I think there are similarities. Queen’s Gamble has had a few runs, but she seems to be handling her racing well.”
After resuming with a pair of second placings in midweek company at Canterbury, Queen’s Gamble broke her maiden status with a decisive performance at Warwick Farm on August 19. She was even more impressive in her most recent start, winning by over three lengths at the same track.
Smith has been impressed by her continuous improvement with each race, admitting that her rapid rise has taken the stable by surprise.
“She’s only a lightly-framed filly, so we were never really looking for anything big at home,” Smith commented.
“For that reason, she has probably got under our guard a little bit because we hadn’t been asking her for much.
“Her first two runs were good and the way she pulled up after each run she didn’t really need a lot of work, so I just kept ticking her over and she has gone from strength to strength.”
Tommy Berry, who has ridden Queen’s Gamble in three of her five starts, will be aboard for the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
Smith is seeking a competitive showing, but suspects the filly’s best chance of victory will be when she steps up to a mile in the Flight Stakes next month.
“She will definitely be suited in the Flight,” he stated.
“If we get a strong-run gallop, the 14 (1400m) will suit her, but the Flight will be better.”
Queen’s Gamble was listed at $8 on Thursday, with Rosebud winner Chilly Girl firming as the $3.30 favourite.
View the latest betting sites for competitive racing odds on the Tea Rose Stakes.
