Abbey Marie redemption
Victorian mare ready to make amends at Coast
TRAINER Mick Kent will be keen to avenge what he feels was the one that got away when Abbey Marie has her second-last run for the stable in Saturday’s Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast.
Abbey Marie will also run in the Doomben Cup, before heading to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
The Redoute’s Choice mare has not won since the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide two years ago but Kent felt there were several races she should have won since, including the Coolmore Legacy last start at Randwick.
“She should have won,’’ the Victorian trainer said. ‘‘All I wanted to do was get clear traffic and she jumped well and got stuck inside horses. She went to the line untested.
“She would have been very close to winning that race, but anyway, we have another shy at the stumps (in Queensland).
“She’s been a very unlucky mare. She should have won the Orr, should have won the Dato. Have a look at her runs.”
Godolphin has confirmed It’s Somewhat will be back for a third tilt on the Hollindale Stakes, having run fifth in 2016 before winning for Tye Angland last year.
Godolphin’s Australian manager Vin Cox said Damian Browne had been booked for the ride after winning on Impending for the stable on Saturday.
Browne was also in line for the rides on Marble (Gold Coast Guineas) and Manicure (Silk Stocking).
The James Cummings arm of the Godolphin stable will also have Moher in the Gold Coast Cup, while Anthony Freedman has Nozomi (Gold Coast Cup) running for Sheik Mohammed as well.