James McDonald could have been riding at the feature meeting at the Gold Coast but his reasons for staying in Sydney became clear after Painted Firetail’s Randwick debut.
The Godolphin filly won Saturday’s 2YO Handicap (1100m) to set up a stakes test in a few weeks at the Scone meeting.
“She is the reason I stayed here and didn’t go to the Gold Coast,” McDonald said.
“She was very professional out there and is definitely stakes class.”
A drifting favourite from $2.50 to $3.50, Painted Fireball settled near the back of the field with Stravigo ($5 to $4.20) leading.
But when McDonald put the pressure on Painted Fireball, she responded to go to the line strongly.
She had a length to spare over Stravigo with Dane Slugger ($8) another 1-1/4 lengths third.
Trainer John O’Shea said another 1100m race at Scone next month, the Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m), was a target.
“She will probably have one more run up at Scone to end her preparation,” he said.
The Lonhro filly is a half sister to three-year-old Gouldian, a winner over 1600m and fifth in last week’s Frank Packer Plate won by Hi World.
Tree Of Jesse faced just three rivals in the 1200m benchmark 75 and started the $2.90 favourite ahead of Berry Delicious ($3).
Punters were spot-on with the Bart and James Cummings-trained filly putting 3-1/4 lengths on the second elect.
She has the Scone Guineas as a possible aim on her way to the Brisbane winter carnival.
