Former Melbourne mare Clockwork Orange has overcome a traffic snarl and a wet racing surface to complete the first part of her Queensland mission.
A road accident on the Gateway Motorway on Wednesday and wet weather made the trip from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast two to three times as long as usual.
But the mare showed no signs of stress to win the benchmark 65 (1200m).
Clockwork Orange ($3) was having her first start for Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds and went straight to the lead for a 4-1/4 length win.
“Her Melbourne wet track form was nothing flash but she was being ridden back in her races,” Edmonds said.
“On wet days with the rail out nine metres at the Sunshine Coast it is always best up in the lead on the fence.
“Jeff (jockey Lloyd) did his homework and we decided to be aggressive and let her slide to the lead. Her owners sent her here to win some races so she has started well and we can talk about something a bit better.”
Clockwork Orange is by More Than Ready out of multiple Group One winner Private Steer who counts the 2003 Stradbroke Handicap among her elite victories.
The improving Guissola ($2.70) will probably get his chance in a stakes race soon after winning Wednesday’s 2Y0 Hcp (1400m).
Graeme Green, the husband of trainer Julie Green, said Guissola was likely to run in the Listed Mercedes Benz at Doomben on Saturday week.
“He is improving all the time and deserves a crack at a Listed race,” he said.
“The other option is to head to Rockhampton for a two-year-old race on their Cup day.”
