Soft Sand Set To Be Autumn Frontrunner

Trainer Colin Little expects big things from talented three-year-old filly Soft Sand in the upcoming autumn racing carnival.

The filly was sired by Danehill stallion Dansili, who is currently one of the best sires in the United Kingdom.

While largely unknown in Australia, Dansili stands at stud in Europe for approximately £65,000.

“He’s not really on the radar here because he’s never been to Australia,” Little said.

Soft Sand is extremely lightly raced, having had just two race starts since being purchased at the 2010 Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $160,000.

“She just took a little bit of time,” Little said.

“I don’t think she was ever an early two-year-old.”

The young filly has won both her previous race starts, including her most recent start at Sandown in the $70,000 Ladies In Racing Magazine Handicap on December 24.

Soft Sand has already accrued more than $50,000 in prize money and will be a big contender in the Melbourne autumn after resting over the spring carnival.

”I just felt she wasn’t ready to continue on and have a full blown spring,” her trainer said.

“We decided giving her a good break over the spring would be the real making of her.

“Now we find ourselves aimed at autumn.”

Soft Sand will most likely have her first start on January 26, where she will contest a 1,100 metre handicap at Caulfield racecourse.

Little will then aim Soft Sand at the Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes in February before taking on the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.

“She’s obviously very smart, it’s just a matter of how far she can stretch out,” he said.

“There may be a possibility she’s so brilliant she can’t extend it over 1600.”

 

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