2015 Widden Stakes runner Fireworks has been most impressive in her first two race starts, but trainer Gerald Ryan confirmed this morning that the 2015 Golden Slipper is not on the agenda for the talented filly.
Brenton Avdulla has been booked to ride Fireworks in the 2015 Widden Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Fireworks made her racing debut with a second place finish behind New Wings in The Entertainment Grounds Maiden (1000m) at Gosford on December 29 and she was extremely well-backed in the lead-up to the Hyland Race Colours Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on January 17, but she completely missed the start before storming home late to finish third.
The Snitzel filly has not been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 28 or the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 because she joined the Ryan stable after the nominations were closed and Ryan told Racing Ahead that the two-year-old will likely head to the spelling paddock after she takes on the likes of Giulietta in the 2015 Widden Stakes this weekend.
“She has come from nowhere and she is not entered in any of the big races,” Ryan said.
“She is out of a mare that has had nine foals to race and hasn’t had a lot of success and she is a little light thing that had trouble containing weight when she was growing up.
“We gave her a bit of a break at the end of her first prep and she didn’t have a lot of weight on her when she came back in, but she does really well in work and puts on weight.
“After the other day we were talking about having a freshen-up and getting ready for Queensland then I suggested we run here and then go for a spell.
“It just depends what she does.
“She is too far into her prep to go right through to the Slipper and pay a $150,000 late entry fee, but at present the plan is to run her Saturday and go to the paddock.”
Fireworks scorched home in extremely quick sectionals after becoming detached from the field in the early stages of the Hyland Race Colours Plate and Ryan said that he will be happy for jockey Brenton Avdulla to settle the two-year-old towards the tail of the field in the Widden Stakes and give her an opportunity to finish over the top of her rivals.
“I think the way she raced the other day, she hit the line better from back off them,” Ryan said.
“There does look to be good speed in the race on Saturday and I will be going into the race with the intention of having her back off the pace.”
Fireworks is currently available at 2015 Widden Stakes odds of $4.80, while Giulietta ($3.60) is currently on top of the betting market with Ladbrokes Australia.
