The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
The five-year-old daughter of Reliable Man was bought as a weanling by owner Morrie Paskell for $2,000 off gavelhouse.com, and she has more than rewarded his faith, with her quintet of victories highlighted by the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) at Wingatui in March.
She also featured prominently in the TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) a month later at Riccarton where she finished fourth in the $350,000 feature.
The Grey Goose was having her first start since that run when victorious at Wingatui over 1400m earlier this month, and trainer Jo-Ann Gordon has been duly impressed with the way she has returned.
“It was the perfect run for her. When they straightened up, she got a lovely run through, and she has come through her run fine,” Gordon said.
The Grey Goose will compete over 1400m once more at Ascot Park on Sunday, however, Gordon does hold concerns about running over the distance on her home track.
“Invercargill is a bit of a concern as they tend to run off the front and she does get back. There are no Open Miles and 1400m is just a bit short for her,” she said.
While The Grey Goose has only competed up to a mile to date, Gordon is looking forward to testing her over more ground over summer.
“Her long-term plan is to have a crack at that southern staying series after Christmas and it is looking like she will get the distance fine,” she said.
Gordon said she will continue to race her mare sparingly, with that formula having paid dividends to date.
“She is a nice horse and I think she will keep improving,” Gordon said. “She is still a bit weak and we are looking after her brain, that is why I race her sparingly. It is nothing to do with lameness issues, I just like to space her races to keep her brain right.”
Gordon is also heading to Ascot Park with plenty of confidence in the chances of stablemate Polly’s Guru, who has finished runner-up in each of his two starts.
The five-year-old gelding will be vying to go one better in the Windsor New World (1600m), where he will jump from barrier 10 with Rohan Mudhoo aboard.
“He is just racing very green,” Gordon said. “Last start he strolled up to the lead and didn’t know what to do once he got there. He waited for the other one, which wasn’t ideal.
“He is learning all the time and would have learnt a lot from that last race. He will have one more start and then go for a break. He is a big horse, 18 hands, and he needs to get a bit stronger.
“We are very happy with what he has done so far. He has drawn 10, which is a better draw for him, he is better off out there being such a big horse.”
Stablemate Small Town Belle is another who has assumed the bridesmaid’s tag in her last two outings and will be looking to improve in the Ryal Bush Transport & Wayne “Ox” McEwan Memorial (1600m).
“Small Town Belle has been going well,” Gordon said. “She ran wide turning for home last time, which cost her. She found the line really well, so it’s nice to know that she is not one dimensioned, it looks like she can run home from a bit further back.”
Gordon will also be represented by No Bouquet in the Hen Batt & Son & Farmers Dipping (1200m), Signwriter in the Advance Agriculture & Sinclair Transport (1400m), and David Moss in the Wreys Bush Farm & Nightcaps Contracting (1600m).
“No Bouquet is really well, but she is over 1200m and has drawn one,” Gordon said. “I imagine she is going to get flushed out the back because she tends to race behind and finish strong. She is going to need a lot of luck but if she gets that luck, I think she will be a good show, it is the best we have ever had her.
“We have been disappointed with Signwriter, but we are going to ride him cold and see if he improves. He has only had two goes and they have both been on very heavy tracks and we feel he needs a better surface.
“David Moss is really well and worked well during the week. 1600m fresh-up is a big ask, but we are happy with the horse.”
