Bookmakers are happy to overlook Norm Gardner's Miss Ostend in Wednesday's $200,000 Magic Millions race at Wyong, but the Canberra filly has one advantage over her city rivals.
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She's the only horse in the field to have won a race.
That was a debut effort at Canberra last month where she ran the fastest time for a two-year-old so far this season in the capital.
"She's probably going a bit better now than she was, I think the run's really improved her," Gardner said.
"She had a jumpout at Canberra on the proper last Wednesday and went really really well. She's the only winner in the field."
Gardner's filly will jump from barrier 11 underneath Jay Ford after copping an awkward draw for the two-year-old Classic, although that will improve if there are a few scratchings brought on by the forecast wet weather.
Gai Waterhouse debutant Swift Witness is the early favourite after two recent trial wins at Randwick.
Chris Waller filly She's All Class is also well in the market after running second on debut at Randwick in October, while the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Astrologer has attracted interest.
"Usually that race gets about six or seven runners in it and it might fall away a little bit, they're talking about Astrologer might go to Randwick on Saturday because he's drawn wide," Gardner said.
"We'll wait to see what happens tomorrow, it might fall away a bit. I'm probably hoping it doesn't there's three emergencies drawn inside me so we'll come in if there's no scratchings."
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Miss Ostend ran a 33.83sec last 600m in her narrow debut win at Canberra on November 15, beating Impact Star who is also in the field at Wyong. Gardner said he would instruct Ford to ride his filly aggressively from the tricky gate.
"She'll have to go forward from there, and risk being caught wide," Gardner said.
"I don't think it's the sort of track you can get dragged back on so I think we're going to take the risk.
"It's going to be a tricky race."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
