Golden Phase To Go Well At Richmond

By Jeff Collerson
She was beaten 16 lengths into third place but Golden Phase's performance in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden final at Wentworth Park was among the biggest runs over the Golden Easter Egg carnival.

A 17 month old baby, Golden Phase returns to racing on Wednesday night at Richmond when she contests heat two of the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Stakes, a 520m 1-2 wins event.

Golden Phase made a dashing debut, leading throughout from box two to win her heat of the Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park on April 3 in a smart 29.82.

In the final, she drew box four but after dwelling at the start and colliding heavily soon after, she was a conspicuous last from the first turn to the back straight.

She rattled home to snare third placing, albeit well astern of the winner Zipping Mario, who won in 29.84.

Golden Phase's trainer Troy Halligan said: "In the Magic Maiden final she sat in the back of the starting box and missed the jump by a half length.

"I don't want to rush her because she is so young but she is an exciting prospect and I think she will develop into a fantastic middle distance performer.

"I nominated her for Richmond because of this one-to-two wins series which is worth $4000 to the winner with a $5000 final.

"Although Golden Phase has not raced at Richmond she knows her way around the track.

"She was broken in at Richmond and has had three or four trials there.''

Golden Phase


Wednesday's Richmond card also features two 1-2 wins 622m events with Hunter Valley trainer Jim Magnisalis having bright prospects in the Ladbrokes Racing Club Stakes with Cool Ash, who has drawn box one.

Last week Cool Ash jumped well from box five and crossed to the rails, chasing the winner Balmerino all the way.

She was beaten nearly four lengths but faces slightly easier opposition on Wednesday.

Her trainer Magnisalis said: "Last week was the first time Cool Ash had been out of the boxes at Richmond, all she had done there previously was a hand-slip.

"As long as she steps away cleanly on Wednesday she should go close.

"Cool Ash was fought a couple of times early in her career, once in a race and then in the catching pen, so her confidence plummeted.

"Then she came in season and got a bit sour for a while but she is firing now, her confidence is building with every run and because she has won three races she is well placed in Wednesday's race.''

Magnisalis also has Remission in box six in the 622m 1-3 wins Steeline Riverstone Stakes.

"Remission has been placed at her past two starts and is trialling better than her form suggests but I think Remission will develop into a 700m stayer,'' Magnisalis said.

Hardest for Remission to beat should be Puppeteer, who has box one and was a luckless fast finishing third over 520m at Wentworth Park last Friday night.

At Wentworth Park Puppeteer was hampered crossing to the rails from box seven and did well to be beaten just under three lengths.

Aussie Flash is the form dog in Wednesday's Raceday Staff Appreciation Stakes, a 520m fifth grade, but trainer James Cortis is concerned about his box three draw.

Aussie Flash had box six when he won in 30.06 at Richmond on April 10 before clocking 30.05 when a distant second to Cait Rod's Pearl in fast time there last Wednesday.

Trainer Cortis said: "He is badly drawn.

"In around 14 of his first 20 starts Aussie Flash drew wide so he became accustomed to staying wide.

"He is now desperate for an outside box but if he comes out well and clears them without knocking himself down or taking out any of his rivals, he can win on Wednesday.

"The dog is racing really well but to be frank I'd rather be drawn out on Richmond Road than in box three.''

Aussie Flash


Best Bet King Of Tulsa (race 8)
Best Value Puppeteer (race 5)

Quaddie
Race 5 - 1, 2, 6
Race 6 - 1, 2, 6
Race 7 - 3, 5, 1
Race 8 - 5, 1
$20 for 37.03%