Blue blooded colt Woodbine has taken another step towards the Randwick Guineas, but not without a scare.
The odds-on favourite in Saturday’s Australian Turf Club Hcp (1200m) had to knuckle down to get past Pirandello ($7) who led the field which was reduced to four after Cosmic Cameo played up in the mounting yard.
Woodbine - Photo by Steve Hart
Under hard riding from Nash Rawiller, Woodbine ($1.30) made a late lunge to win by a head.
Rawiller said he had been instructed by trainer Gai Waterhouse to take Woodbine to the middle of the track due to a perceived bias close to the fence.
“Gai said to be seven-off,” Rawiller said.
Waterhouse and managing owner John Messara were happy that it ended well and agreed he now needs further.
“He is a good finisher but he wants more ground,” Messara said.
“We’re hoping he gets to the Randwick Guineas. That’s the aim and a win in a race like that would make him a wonderful stallion prospect.”
Woodbine is already a stallion prospect being by Hussonet out of multiple Group One winner Miss Finland, also owned by Messara.
“It’s very gratifying to see her progeny racing,” Messara said.
Rawiller said the win was touch and go for a little while.
“The second horse had us under the pump for a fair way,” he said.
“It was a gutsy effort.”
