While the major races for Surfin’ Bird are scheduled for later in the spring carnival, co-trainer Adrian Bott is looking forward to the rising mare beginning her preparation in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill.
The five-year-old has only raced nine times, winning five of those starts, including her last outing where she concluded her previous campaign with a victory in the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Three of her wins have been over 1550 metres or more. Bott anticipates a strong first-up run in Saturday’s 1400-metre feature, but he is particularly excited for Surfin’ Bird to race over longer distances.
“It will be a tough race for her first-up, and she will be better suited when she gets out to the mile, but I thought she’d been trialling up well,” Bott said.
“She had a great campaign in the winter. We will probably head down to Melbourne with her after this.”
Tim Clark will ride Surfin’ Bird from barrier three, and she is currently a $6.50 chance. Five of the nine runners are at single-figure odds, with the class mare Lazzura the $2.30 favourite.
Bott also expects his stablemate New Endeavour to improve on his performance in the Shannon Stakes (1500m) upon his return.
The gelding finished third in the corresponding race twelve months ago but has been off the scene since running second behind Gringotts in The Gong (1600m) last November, and he has a winless record first-up.
“He’s been a while off the scene but has come back well,” Bott mentioned.
“He’ll be better again once he gets to 2000 metres.”
Regan Bayliss is booked for New Endeavour, while Dylan Gibbons will partner stablemate Sovereign Hill, who was withdrawn from a benchmark race in preference for the Group 2 event.
The Shannon Stakes pair will be part of a team of eight Rosehill runners for Tulloch Lodge, including outsider Plagiarism, in the day’s main attraction, the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m).
Consider placing a bet on the Golden Pendant using one of the available betting sites.