Champion hoop Hugh Bowman is predicting untapped filly Willinga Beast to be a major player in the feature fillies’ races this spring, starting in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.
Bowman partnered the Kris Lees-trained galloper to her debut win at Canterbury in March then Brenton Avdulla jumped aboard when she was edged out by Paris Dior in the Percy Sykes Stakes.
Willinga Beast and Bowman reunite in Saturday’s Group 2 race and while he hasn’t ridden her in the lead-up, he has been buoyed the positive feedback from the stable, which has only reinforced the impression she made on him in the autumn.
“She has drawn a lovely gate, drawn one, she’s got tactical speed. She will have the run of the race and she’ll run very well,” Bowman said.
“I’d be surprised if she’s not one of the top fillies in the spring up to a mile.”
Willinga Beast has had early specking in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), firming from $8 into outright second pick at $6.50, behind only the undefeated In Secret.
She will be among three feature race rides for Bowman at Randwick, along with Fangirl in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and the in-form Lord Ardmore, an early favourite to bring up a hat-trick of wins in the Premier’s Cup (2000m).
Narrowly beaten by subsequent Group 1 winner Huetor at his only Australian start over the Cup journey, Lord Ardmore is expected to give a clearer indication of where he fits into the spring carnival puzzle on Saturday.
“He comes into this race full of credentials and Chris (Waller) is marvellous at ticking them over and finding a niche for them,” Bowman said.
“Whether he makes his way to a Metropolitan Handicap or whether Chris looks for other targets, I’m sure he’s a horse who could run consistently well until late in the spring.”