A two-year-old maiden at Newcastle has proven the right formline for the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick, albeit it with runner-up Saltaire turning the tables on her last-start conqueror Blanc De Blanc.
The pair fought out the finish at Newcastle last month but on Saturday it was Saltaire’s moment, the John O’Shea-trained filly driving at even-money favourite Facile to nail her on the line with Michael Freedman’s Blanc De Blanc a luckless third after travelling wide throughout.
While a Sunday race at the provincials isn’t usually the best pointer to a Listed race in town, O’Shea says it is reflective of the level of competition in NSW racing.
“To be fair, the Newcastle form must be alright because Michael’s horse got trapped wide and ran very well in the race (today),” O’Shea said.
“So you go to Newcastle thinking it’s going to be an easy race but there is no easy race in NSW.
“She’s a cheap filly, $140,000, and she’s won half a million.”
A daughter of Star Turn, Saltaire ($13) was given a lovely trail behind the leading bunch before popping off the fence under Kerrin Mcevoy and chasing down Facile ($2 fav), who fought hard when challenged to go down by a half-head.
Blanc De Blanc ($8.50) was another three-quarters of a length further back.
O’Shea was confident Saltaire would run boldly after working strongly with a talented stablemate.
“We actually worked her with Waihaha (Falls) on Tuesday so that’s indicative of how much confidence we have in her,” he said.
“I said to Kerrin, she’s ready to rock and roll, don’t muck around with her and he rode her beautifully as he always does.
“She’s a tough, resilient filly, there is nothing that fazes her. She will have a little break now and come back in the autumn and you never know where she can end up.”
Co-trainer Gerald Ryan was pleased with the effort of Facile and said she would benefit from the race day experience.
“I was happy with it. The winner drew barrier one and just had the sit behind us,” Ryan said.