Vinery Stud’s new acquisition former Western Australian filly Night War is set to make her Melbourne debut for trainer Mick Price at Flemington tomorrow.
Vinery race Night War’s outstanding half sister Blue Diamond winner Samaready and are anticipating the former WA filly enhancing her stud value with more black type victories in the Eastern states.
“We are optimistic about her future as a race mare,” Price said.
Craig Newitt will be having his first ride on Night War and will continue his premiership battle with rival Luke Nolen who will be on race favourite Golden Archer when they clash in the $70,000 Monjon Australia Handicap (1000m).
Price was set to give Night War her first start for the stable last week in the Listed $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield but decided to wait for tomorrow because of the heavy Caulfield track.
“I thought the winner of last week’s race was going to have to be very fit and she wasn’t,” Price said.
The Caulfield trainer is content with his decision to wait the extra week to kick of the filly’s campaign and the extra work will guarantee her fitness level will be right for her debut for the stable.
“There looks to be early speed and I’d think that the sectionals should lend themselves to her finishing in the money,” Price said.
“She is a horse that knows what to do so she doesn’t need hard trialling and her 800m gallops have been excellent.”
“Bossy rode her last Saturday morning and he was very happy and Craig Newitt has been on her and is happy.”
“She’s not big and I think with 54kg in an open handicap she is very well suited.”
The General Nediym filly already has black type against her name with wins in Group 2 and Group 3 company in Western Australia.
When prepared by Perth trainer Simon Miller, Night War took out the Group 2 $500,000 Ausdrill Karrakatta Plate (1200m) for two year olds at Ascot last year and is also the winner of the Group 3 $125,000 Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) for three year olds at Ascot in December.
Miller sent the filly for a spell after winning the $96,000 R M Williams Magic Millions (1400m) at Ascot in February before she was shipped to Vinery Stud.
Peter Moody’s Golden Archer dominates the early market for the Monjon Australia Handicap at $2.75 with Night War on the second line of betting at $6 with topweight Canali, Broken and Morant hovering around the $7, $8 mark.
Golden Archer is having his first start for ten months after weakening in the straight to finish ninth to Helmet in the Group 3 $175,000 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24.
But the Rock Of Gibraltar colt has good early pace and is the winner for six races including the Group 3 $125,000 H D F McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 27.
