Rosehill winner Gatwick could earn a shot at better company while she has race fitness on her side
Progressive mare Gatwick has thrust herself into Stakes race calculations after producing a determined front-running display to claim Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare made it two wins from her past three starts, leading throughout under Zac Lloyd before digging deep to repel all challengers.
Sent out the $2.70 favourite, Gatwick held off Ernaux ($9) by a short neck, with Kwirky Smile ($5.50) a further 5¾ lengths away in third.
Stable representative Ben Elam praised both the mare’s toughness and Lloyd’s ride, believing the race was effectively won soon after the barriers opened.
“She was dynamic out of the gates, and it was probably won in the first part of the race,” Elam said.
“She is by Ole Kirk, so I always thought she’d run it out strongly. Even though she did a little bit in the early stages, he got a breather midrace, and she toughed it out well.
“Back on better footing for her, she showed that dynamic little turn of foot she’s got, and then she sustains that speed, which is crucial.”
Gatwick has been carefully managed throughout her campaign, with her runs spaced since returning in April, and Elam said the stable would now weigh up whether to continue racing while she has a fitness edge over many rivals.
That could see the mare tackle an early-season black-type assignment if the right opportunity presents itself.
“She’s a horse we’ve always had a good opinion of, and it’s an interesting time of year,” Elam said.
“She’s rock-hard fit and there are probably some lower grade stakes races that might pop up where she’s the rock-hard fit horse, and there are some more proven horses returning from a break.
“There is a little bit to ponder there… it’s a good problem to have when you’ve got a progressive horse like this.”
It shapes as another significant week for the Price and Kent stable, with Golden Rose hopeful Guest House set to return to the public stage in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Tuesday.
The Golden Slipper Stakes winner completed his final piece of work at Rosehill on Saturday morning ahead of his trial as preparations ramp up for his spring campaign.
“He had his final gallop here (at Rosehill) this morning on the course proper and went through his gears really nicely,” Elam said.
“I’m looking forward to getting him back to the trials where we can let him do a little bit more.”
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