Tatts Tiara the target for Miss Gunpowder
TOM Dabernig has confirmed that his talented mare Miss Gunpowder is likely to head towards the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara in a fortnight after scoring a narrow victory in Saturday’s Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Doomben.
The $4 favourite began well, with Craig Williams electing to settle fifth as Trevinder took up the top spot.
Around the home turn, Miss Gunpowder was boxed in between runners, but saw light at the 250m mark, pushing her way through the pack to assume the lead.
Once in front, the four-year-old mare kicked on strongly, holding off a late challenge from Too Good To Refuse to record a 0.1 length win on the line.
Jimmy Rea rounded out the trifecta at big odds, with Casual Choice filling fourth spot.
Despite only getting the job done narrowly, Dabernig said he expects the daughter of Pendragon and Forever Rafter to line up in the $500,000 Tatts Tiara on June 24.
“It was a tight finish but I’m sure she’s got a lot of improvement in her and if she pulls up well we’ll have a look at the Tatts Tiara with her,” Dabernig said post-race.
The leading Victorian trainer says he expects the 1400m trip to be ideal for Miss Gunpowder, which is also expected to improve after her first start racing in the clockwise direction.
“I don’t think that [the 1400m] will be an issue…she’s getting deeper into her preparation now,” he said.
“It was her first time on that leg today so it will be interesting to hear what Craig [Williams] has to say but there’s only improvement to come, it was a great effort.”
Williams also noted that there is more in the tank after the win, her seventh victory from 17 career starts.
“She has been well prepared, well trained, she’s got more to come from her and I believe she’s got some group 1 ambitions in mind,” he said.
“She’s fitting the bill nicely for that race in two weeks.”