Steady performer Gold Coast Belle aims to earn black-type credentials in a stakes event at Bendigo.
Boasting three victories and two runner-up finishes from five outings, the filly lines up in the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) this Saturday.
Past winners of the Bendigo Guineas like Wonder Boy, War Machine, Waltz On By, Annavisto, Riddle Me That, Milwaukee and Silent Sedition have used the race as a springboard for future success.
The filly was also entered in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville this weekend, though trainer Danny O’Brien indicated Bendigo was the preferred option all along.
“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 kicked off her latest preparation with a maiden success at Seymour, followed by a second placing on the Hillside course at Sandown.
Returning to the winner’s circle on the Sandown Lakeside track, she then delivered a dominant victory at Caulfield over 1400m on April 11.
O’Brien noted that Gold Coast Belle keeps improving.
“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.”
The trainer mentioned that her showing on Saturday will shape future plans, possibly including a Queensland winter campaign.
“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.”
Danny O’Brien also has Jett Smash in the race on Saturday.
Jett Smash came into Saturday having triumphed in his last four starts, but O’Brien opted to hold him back for a future engagement.
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