Trainer Jack Duncan wasn’t interested in going the easy route with the three-year-old gelding Goldsborough after the son of Headwater had shown him plenty in two starts in his first prep back in April and May, in which he finished second behind Isotope in a Two-Year-Old Handicap (on debut) and second again behind Gotta Kiss in his follow-up start in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Plate
Instead Duncan brought Goldsborough straight to town, first-up after a six month break from race action, and the gelding looked to be very well placed for his return match with Isotope, who was also first-up, as Goldsborough now had what ultimately would prove to be a winning pull of 4kg with his rival at the weights.
Duncan, who had a range of options of where he could have taken Goldsborough next, had backed his judgement and the horse had justified Duncan’s confidence and won well.
“He was probably too good to go to a Maiden,” said Duncan. “He is a pretty good horse, and he has got a lot of upside yet. He certainly has got a lot of improvement in him.
“He grew a bit taller in his time out, but he hasn’t thickened out,” continued Duncan. “He might be twelve months away. He gets a bit light after work. Because of that it will probably be two or three weeks before he starts again.
“He is a pretty cool customer though. Even when you work him … you can slow him up. You can do anything with him.
“I don’t know yet if he is just going to just be a sprinter or not. If he can run 1400m, we’ll have a look at the Magic Millions and go that way … but it is a bit early to say yet. We’ll find out.”
The general form-lines of Isotope and Gotta Kiss, who Goldsborough has raced against in a very competitive fashion, helps put Goldsborough’s potential in perspective.
Isotope has two wins (she won on debut by ten lengths) and two runner-up finishes from five starts. Notably, one of those second placed runs came behind Rothfire in the Group 2 Champagne Classic.
Gotta Kiss is a three-time winner from eight starts. She also has two runner-up finishes to her credit and there is a very notable entry in that column, the one where she finished second to Rothfire in the Group 1, J J Atkins.
In their two head-on meetings, Goldsborough and Isotope have one win apiece. In their two head on meetings, Goldsborough and Gotta Kiss have one win apiece.
So, is very much ‘game on’ for all these three runners moving forward. They are still pretty much in the formative stages of their careers form-wise and it can be expected that each will make further good progress at their own individual pace.
Chances are we have not seen the last of them facing up against each other.
