Filly’s Jewel poser
IT IS the $500,000 question that will weigh on the mind of training couple Georgie and Aidan Holt.
Do we go for it?
The pair were uncertain they would take on the rich QTIS 2YO Jewel on the Gold Coast next month despite exciting filly Anniemariah galloping home in yesterday’s qualifier at Cluden Park.
The Holts went one and two with stablemate Gossiping Girl fighting on for second place after setting the pace for most of the 1200m distance. But whether they take on the best 2YO runners in the state next month appears at long odds.
“Obviously it is a big step up. You really have to take things into consideration,” Aidan Holt said after the qualifier win. “It is a long trip down, and only a fortnight away and they are only two-year-olds.
“She can win her fair share of money if she stays here. We will leave it up to the owners, but at this stage we are looking at staying here because it is a big effort on a two-year-old.
“You have to weigh a lot of options up. We are all about looking after the horses.”
It was an impressive ride from veteran hoop Frankie Edwards who rode three deep on the fence across a soaked Cluden Park track before getting the most out of the soft going in the straight to kick clear.
Edwards has maintained a bond with the filly since she ran third in the Pallarenda Stakes on debut late last year.
“Anniemariah has always shown quite a bit of promise from day one. She is a thick set horse, both (fillies) came back from a spell at the same time but ... it took her a bit longer to get back to the races,” Holt said.
“We were stoked by her first-up run considering we knew she was going to need it. This 1200 was always going to suit her better because she can be a fraction tardy out of the gates but then musters really quick. A bit of sting out of the track helped her.”
As for whether she matches up to the Jewel field though was another matter.
“It is hard to say, they are always quality down there,” Holt said.
“It is hard to say when you only go around with horses up here, you can only beat what is put in front of you.”