Dependable filly Gold Coast Belle hopes to notch black-type success when contesting a stakes race at Bendigo.
She has three triumphs and two seconds to her name from just five career appearances, and now contests the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) this Saturday.
The Bendigo Guineas boasts a strong history, producing standouts like Wonder Boy, War Machine, Waltz On By, Annavisto, Riddle Me That, Milwaukee and Silent Sedition.
An entry was also lodged for Gold Coast Belle in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville Saturday, but trainer Danny O’Brien preferred the Bendigo path from the outset.
“We accepted with Gold Coast Bell and Adelaide in case she drew really poorly at Bendigo, but she’s drawn OK there,” O’Brien said.
“She’ll come into seven or eight when the barriers sort themselves out, and she’s in good shape, so it looks in a race that should be really competitive in.”
Gold Coast Belle launched her current prep claiming maiden honours at Seymour, before a second at Sandown’s Hillside.
Victories followed at Sandown Lakeside and then a powerful 1400m win at Caulfield on April 11.
The filly has impressed trainer O’Brien with her maturation.
“She’s just one of those fillies that’s just continued to thrive the deeper she has got into the prep,” O’Brien said.
“Each time she’s gone to the races, she’s looked a better horse, and she was dominant the other day, and she certainly hasn’t gone backwards.
“She’s a good style filly.”
O’Brien indicated the weekend effort will guide plans ahead, with Queensland winter targets possibly in play.
“It’s still open-ended, but we’ll get through the weekend,” O’Brien said.
“There is either that or the temptation may be to give her a break and have a really good look at the spring.”
O’Brien saddles Jett Smash in the Bendigo feature too.
With four successive wins under his belt, Jett Smash was withdrawn by O’Brien in favour of a subsequent race.
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