Trainer Rick Worthington has been patient with three-year-old filly Golden Sunshine but his efforts are paying off after she won her second race from as many starts at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
An Inglis Classic sale filly bought to run as an early two-year-old, problems with her feet kept Golden Sunshine away from the track.
But her victory in the Naturalaz Handicap (1100m) has vindicated Worthington’s decision to bring her to town instead of running her at Gosford next week.
Golden Sunshine ($3.60) led the field and scored an easy win over Benedictus ($4.80) by 1-1/4 lengths, with another half-length to favourite Kochamma ($2.25) in third.
“This filly should have run in a Gimcrack or a Widden Stakes as a two-year-old but we didn’t have the undercarriage (to go) with her feet at the time,” Worthington said.
He said her feet didn’t match her weight of 570kg to 580kg, but her problems could be improved with management.
“It’s taken a lot of patience and a lot of time with her,” he said. “Hopefully she can make up for it,” he said.
Jockey Peter Robl praised Golden Sunshine and said he was always in control of the race despite her eagerness out of the gate.
“She took a step from provincial to Saturday grade today and I think she’ll keep taking positive steps as she goes along,” he said.
