More than a thousand horses will line up all around Australia on Tuesday but perhaps the best bred filly in the country will be making her highly-anticipated debut at Kembla Grange.
Blueblood three-year-old The Hawkesbury ($6.50 on TAB) will have her first start for trainer Clarry Conners in the I98 Feel Good Maiden Handicap (1200m).
Warwick Farm-based trainer Clarry Conners. Image by Bradley Photographers
The Hawkesbury is a daughter of unbeaten English weapon Frankel out of Australian superstar mare More Joyous, which won eight Group 1s during her sensational career.
Conners believes The Hawkesbury has a promising career ahead of her too as she prepares to step out for the first time.
“She is a beautiful filly,” Conners said. “I can imagine in six or 12 months time, I will be expecting a lot of things from her.
“It’s not always the case but with good mares, they often don’t throw good foals but she is a lovely filly that has been given some time.”
Conners has given The Hawkesbury three trials over two preparations to have her ready for her maiden race start where Keagan Latham has been booked to ride.
The Hawkesbury produced a strong effort in her most recent trial, winning a 1030m heat at Rosehill Gardens last month.
“Her three trials have been impressive,” Conners said. “We are going to Kembla Grange looking for a big track but I am concerned how the track conditions are going to be.
“She should be very competitive over 1200 metres and that’s why I am looking for a big track. You go to Wyong and those places and the race is over on the turn where Kembla she will get her chance.”
Kembla Grange was rated a heavy (10) on Monday with clear conditions expected on raceday.
Conners will saddle up two runners on the card with lighty-raced filly Djapana ($10) taking her place in the Peroni Midway 3YO Maiden Plate (1400m).
Djapana has yet to finish among the placings in four career starts but raced without luck at her most recent run at Kembla Grange when caught deep in a 1200m event on October 21.
“She is a lightly framed filly but she goes pretty good and I think she will be competitive in a race like that,” Conners said.
“Her first two runs at Canterbury were very good and then she’s had a start at Kembla where she got in a bit of trouble.” Heavelon Van Der Hoven rides Djapana.
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