The promising filly Queen’s Gamble is on track for the third leg of the Princess Series after an impressive maiden victory at Warwick Farm, easily accounting for a capable field.
The three-year-old had shown signs of a strong performance in her previous two outings, finishing second to Krasina, who is a contender for the Silver Shadow Stakes, and then again running second to Phantom Agent.
Benefitting from a 100m increase in distance in Wednesday’s Inglis Xtra Bonus Handicap (1300m), Queen’s Gamble ($8) surged ahead to defeat the favourite Satin Serenade ($1.35) by two and a half lengths, with Albert Palias ($10) securing third place. This performance led trainer Matt Smith to earmark the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 19 as the filly’s next target.
“At this time of year, you’ve nearly got to have a crack at them if they’re going well like that, and she’s progressive,” Smith stated.
“The Tea Rose, it’s about four weeks away, which is perfect.”
Before her Warwick Farm triumph, Queen’s Gamble had placed in all her previous starts. Smith noted that jockey Tommy Berry’s decision to continue his partnership with the filly was a positive sign.
“The fact Tommy stayed with her is a big plus because he sits on a lot of nice horses and he could have easily jumped onto something else,” Smith commented.
“The fact he stayed on, I thought, there’s a bit more in the tank than what we’re seeing.
“He was confident when she got over a little bit further, she’d be better, and we’ve definitely bumped into a couple of handy ones (at her previous starts).”
Meanwhile, the Farnan colt Blessed Eagle ($3.10 favourite) may also be moved up in class following a hard-fought debut win in the Ranvet Handicap (1100m). He fought back after being challenged by Profitabelle ($3.20) and held off Saffron Veil ($8.50) by a nose at the finish.
Blessed Eagle, a half-brother to the 2023 Gosford Guineas winner Royal Tribute, possesses natural speed and, according to co-trainer Adrian Bott, considerable untapped potential.
“He was still a little bit new and a little bit raw. He was waiting for those horses to an extent and when they came, he really rallied and responded well,” Bott explained.
“It’s the right time of year to see them stepping up. He’s a natural speed horse so we’ll obviously look at something over the spring for him.”
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