TWELVE months ago trainer Anton Golino’s My Tribeca finished second in the NSW Trotters Oaks behind the Brent Lilley prepared My Arya. The effort by My Tribeca to finish just over two metres in arrears of the winner was even more remarkable considering the daughter of Goetmals Wood was bred to the Northern Hemisphere season and therefore was more than six months younger than My Arya.
Fast forward to this Saturday night’s 2016 NSW Trotters Oaks and Golino is back to try and win the event this year with a three pronged attack. Interestingly, two of Golino’s three runners have been bred to Northern Hemisphere time and are a lot younger than their main rivals.
Unbeaten filly Dream Island actually only turned three on April 29 and is more than six months younger than race favourite High Gait. Golino confirmed the difference is significant and it may mean the difference between winning and losing.
“Dream Island is a beautiful big filly and in time I think she is going to develop into something very special but she is giving away a lot in age to Mark Purdon’s filly (High Gait),” Golino said.
“She has shown me enough to warrant making the trip from Victoria to Sydney and even the trip away from home will be an important part of her development. If this race was run in six months time Dream Island would be my best chance because she would have had more time to mature but Courchevel is a lot further along.”
Pizza Queen was foaled on 23 February 2013 and doesn’t give away as much in age but is still learning what racing is all about.
“Pizza Queen has come on a lot in the last few weeks which has been very encouraging. To be honest she hasn’t had the greatest preparation but everything seems to be working for her a lot better now than it was, so it will be interesting to see how she performs on Saturday night.
“The third of my runners Courchevel has got plenty of ability but she hasn’t got the greatest manners and it has been a tricky time recently getting her to trot fluently. I’m starting to iron her out and I think once she learns to do everything right there is going to be a lot of improvement with her as well.”
Golino confirmed Courchevel may stay in Sydney for the NSW Trotters Derby next week should she perform well in the Trotters Oaks.
“Look that is the plan at this stage but we just have to see how she goes this weekend. If she does everything right then I’d like to see her compete in the Derby as well.”
With commitments at Melton on Saturday night, Golino will not be making the trip to Sydney.
“I have some runners at Melton including two in the Platinum Vicbred two year old fillies final. Nieta has a touch more talent than Sval Queen but Sval Queen has terrific manners and is a ready-made racehorse.
“They’re hard to split and they are both good fillies that can go on and do a very good job.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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