Hawkesbury trainer Garry White is hoping to make his mark at his home track’s showpiece meeting on Saturday when he saddles up debutante Villa Splendido.
The two-year-old is a daughter of Holy Roman Emperor out of November Song and White knows plenty about the family having trained the filly’s three-quarter sister November Flight and three-quarter brother North Dakota.
Villa Splendido lines up in the Hawkesbury Race Club Motel Inglis Bonus 2YO Handicap (1200m) on the back of a recent 4-1/2 length trial win over 760m at her home track.
“All the indications are that she might be above average,” White said.
“She won her trial quite nicely, she has a good draw and Sam Clipperton’s (two kilo) allowance will help her.
“Anthony Cummings’ horse (Diamond Earth) obviously goes well but it has the outside barrier and a bit of weight.
“I think my filly will run a good race.”
White trained November Flight to win seven of her 20 starts including the 2008 Group Three Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill and 2007 Woodlands Crown at Hawkesbury, while North Dakota won six races during his career.
White only has two runners entered for Saturday’s meeting with the other being Grand Impression in the Listed Darley Crown (1300m).
“This is a Saturday meeting and you are up against good horses but it would be great if I could get a winner,” White said.
“She (Villa Splendido) goes pretty well but trials are one thing and races are another thing.
“She has a good mindset and is a pretty straightforward horse and does seem to have natural ability.”
The Tim Martin-trained first starter Stay Schtum heads the TAB Sportsbet market at $3.60 ahead of Academus ($4) and Diamond Earth ($4.40).
Villa Splendido is at $8.
White believes having the inside barrier will be an advantage for his juvenile.
“It gives them the rail to follow and especially from the 1200 metre start at Hawkesbury I think it’s a big help,” he said.
“Being out of a Zabeel mare the 1200 metres in her first start shouldn’t be a worry at all.”
