PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Danika Wilson

As a newcomer to the riding ranks with only 29 career rides to her name, it was a day to remember for the 4kg claiming apprentice, Danika Wilson, as she claimed a riding double at Gore on Wednesday. Wilson’s first ride of the day was in Race 4 aboard Reddington, where the gaps looked to open up perfectly for the pair, before going on to salute by a narrow margin in a blanket finish. The very next race brought up Wilson’s riding double, where she allowed race favourite Billy Lid to bowl along in front as he pleased, stretching out for a 3.5L win on the line.

BEATEN FAVOURITE

Petrucci

Although she didn’t flatter on Saturday as the $2.00 favourite in the Open Handicap 1200m event, Petrucci did have some excuses/factors that may have contributed to her not performing to market expectations. Petrucci went into Saturday 2^nd up off a 6-month spell, where she was stepping up to Open Handicap company at only her 6^th career start, whilst it was also her first go right-handed on race-day. If you backed her on Saturday, I wouldn’t be dropping her, she looks a mare with plenty of upside and a bright future ahead.

FIRST-UP FOLLOW

Desert Lightning

It was simply an awesome resuming run by Desert Lightning at Pukekohe on Saturday. Given he was a winner of the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas as a 3yo over 2100m and contested multiple 2000m+ races in his 3yo season, it was an exceptional first-up run for him to win dominantly over 1200m. Unlike many runs in Desert Lightning’s career, he landed handy to the speed on what was a pedestrian early tempo. From there, he let down sharply, putting his rivals away winning by 1.3L with some sharp closing splits. He looks to have come back in tremendous order, no doubt connections will have some big targets on his radar this campaign.

SMART DEBUT

Alexandra Quick

After a slow getaway, Alexandra Quick looked to be chasing to keep up with the pack for most of the 1200m journey. Under a strong ride from Matt Cameron, Alexandra Quick stormed home late to secure an impressive debut win with some smart closing splits. She looks to be a mare with plenty of upside, I wouldn’t be surprising to see her go on with it off that debut win.

GAP JOB

Takeshi

There was an opinion this 3yo Satono Aladdin colt would perform extremely well on debut, coming into it off the back of three impressive trial wins. The son of talented mare Passchendale did not disappoint, with Takeshi leaving his rivals in his wake as he kicked clear for a 4.5L victory. He obviously looks to have plenty of ability, safe to say connections will have some big plans for him in the near future.