Goldengirl’s lucky break
THE connections of consistent Tasmanian mare Geegees Goldengirl are hoping an omen barrier draw can help in a quest to end her racing career on a winning note in this Sunday’s TAB Hobart Cup.
Geegees Goldengirl will be tackling her fourth Hobart Cup and at yesterday’s barrier draw at Elwick her part-owner Elizabeth Geard was called on to select a barrier and she chose barrier four — her lucky number. But the omen puzzle was completed when the Geards revealed Geegees Goldengirl is four months’ pregnant.
The mare is in foal to Armidale Stud’s latest arrival Arctic Eagle, with Goldengirl’s foal due to arrive in September.
“We’re pleased with barrier four because there are a lot of fours in her life at the moment, so this might just be the lucky omen we’ve been seeking,” said part owner-breeder Paul Geard.
A field of 11 will contest the Group 3 TAB Hobart Cup and includes three overseas invaders, all of which have been racing well this season on the mainland. Al Galayel and Snoano are UK imports brought to Australia specifically for second-tier staying assignments, while Lamborghini hails from New Zealand and he has proven his worth in Victoria with top trainer Patrick Payne.
Snoano, from the Aaron Purcell stable, has drawn gate one and that will suit as he usually races in the first three or four. Barrier eight for Lamborghini is ideal because his racing pattern is to fall out to near the rear and run home late, as he has done to win two of his past three starts in Melbourne.
However, Al Galayel, prepared in partnership by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, will start from barrier 10 which is not a good gate for a horse that usually races on the speed. But co-trainer Eustace remains confident of success.
“Al Galayel usually settles in the first four just behind the leaders so barrier 10 is not ideal, but he does have good early speed to use if needed,” Eustace said.
The 2017 Hobart Cup winner Count Da Vinci has drawn ideally in barrier three and his trainer Scott Brunton was delighted with his gate.
“From barrier three the rider [Siggy Carr] can go for- ward and find a nice spot and if he gets into his comfort zone early he will make his presence felt at the business end of the race,” Brunton said.
Devonport Cup and Sum- mer Cup winner Eastender is the form horse of the local brigade and drawing barrier nine should not be any bother as he usually drifts back and runs home powerfully, as he did to win at his past two starts. The Hobart Cup will be run as race eight on a nine-race program on Sunday with the Group 3 event scheduled to start at 5pm.