Godolphin runner Ghisoni has continued her perfect career start at Royal Randwick with an impressive performance for victory in this afternoon’s Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m).
Ghisoni made a successful transition to black type racing with success in this afternoon’s Surround Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart
Ghisoni had not been seen at the races since posting a commanding win in a Rosehill Gardens minor over 1200m in November, but flew the gates in her black type debut today and immediately took up the running alongside Single Gaze.
Hugging the rails and experiencing an effortless run in transit, jockey James McDonald allowed the Lonhro filly ample time to balance in the final straight before asking for an extra effort late, who savaged the line for an easy win.
Trainer John O’Shea was pleased with Ghisoni’s return in the Surround Stakes and revealed the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) may figure as the next point of call for the filly, who would only carry 50kgs in the race.
“She’s a special filly,” O’Shea said.
“It was a bit like a working gallop up the run and James knew he had plenty of horse there.
“She’s had a lovely soft run first-up, hasn’t burnt too much gas and so we’ve got a few decisions to make when he get home.
“We could go to the Phar Lap but she’s only got 50kgs in the Coolmore. Whether we want to run a horse fourth start in the Coolmore, but it might be the only time she’ll carry 50kgs.
“We’ll have a think about it as a team and see what we can come up with, and see if we can find someone to ride her at that.”
McDonald barely had to work aboard Ghisoni to win the Surround Stakes and is confident the filly displays all the signs of a champion in the making.
“I don’t want to go the early crow but I think she’s right up there with the best fillies I’ve sat on,” McDonald said.
“She’s yet to prove it, she has to win that Group 1 but she oozes quality, she’s a pleasure to ride and the clock says it all really.
“She’s push button. Dundeel was the same and I’m not comparing her to him just yet but she’s got a beautiful action, great technique and ticks all the boxes.”
McDonald will partner Hartnell in this afternoon’s featured Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).
