Philizzy makes sparkling debut at Randwick
Two-year-old Philizzy is on a Golden Slipper path after making a winning debut at Randwick.
Connections are likely to resist the immediate temptation of a $2 million lure and set Philizzy for the Golden Slipper rather than rush her to the Magic Millions.
The filly belied her lack of experience with her winning debut in Saturday’s Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1150m) in which Hinchbeasts’s Magic Millions hopes suffered a blow when the $4.60 favourite finished fifth.
Sent out at $6, Philizzy came with a late run under Christian Reith to nab Osamu ($4.80) by a short head.
Philizzy jumped to 14th in the order of entry for next Saturday’s Magic Million Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast and firmed to $15 but trainer Anthony Cummings said the race was likely to come too soon.
“She came out of the Magic Millions but I’m not sure she’s ready to take that trip right now,” Cummings said.
“I’m more inclined to wait and go towards the Golden Slipper.
“She’s a filly bred to go further and she is still learning.
“She is a nice filly and there is a lot to come.”
Philizzy is raced by a syndicate headed by high-profile owner Neil Werrett and including Rob McAnulty.
She is by Snitzel and her mother Sovereign Duchess is a half-sister to Princess Coup, New Zealand’s champion filly of 2006/07 and winner of the NZ Oaks.
Reith said Philizzy showed she had a big future.
“She’s a lovely little filly,” he said.
“She had to make a long run home and handled everything well.”
Osama’s trainer Chris Waller said the runner-up would also be put on an autumn campaign.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Hinchbeast needed to run well to boost his prize money for the Millions Classic and is just outside the field.