Tattersall’s Tiara Next for Hinkler Handicap Winner Miss Gunpowder

Miss Gunpowder has sustained an impressive sprint to the line to beat a fast-finishing Too Good To Refuse on the line in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Doomben Racecourse this afternoon.

Miss Gunpowder beat Too Good To Refuse on the line to win the Hinkler Handicap at Doomben, Photo: Steve Hart

Miss Gunpowder beat Too Good To Refuse on the line to win the Hinkler Handicap at Doomben, Photo: Steve Hart

The former South Australian galloper firmed into clear favouritism in Hinkler Handicap betting markets in the hours leading up to jump and did her chances of justifying the trend no harm when taking a position close to the pace from the outset.

Receiving a good run in transit behind the likes of Flamboyer, Trevinder and Quatronic across the back straight, jockey Craig Williams found a gap between runners when the field straightened and steered the mare to the fore of the field.

Pulling half a length clear with 200m to run, Miss Gunpowder appeared as though she would just win the Hinkler Handicap, but was lucky to claim the race after the locally-trained Too Good To Refuse charged home on the outside of the pack from the tail of the field; Kiwi raider Jimmy Rea boxing on to finish third.

Williams was pleased with the performance mustered by the Pendragon mare and believes that she will only improve off the run into the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara field at Doomben in a fortnight.

“She needed the competition and she was great,” Williams said after the race.

“She’s been well prepared and well trained and has more to come!

“I believe she’s got some Group 1 ambitions here in a couple of weeks, so she’s fitting the bill nicely for that race.”

Originally trained by Phillip Stokes at Morphettville, Miss Gunpowder has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her entire racing career, but has clearly taken plenty of benefit from her transferral to the Lindsay Park operation in Victoria.

Resuming for a smart win at Caulfield on April 15th, Miss Gunpowder failed to handle the late pace when twelfth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) on May 6th, but ran a close second behind Fuhryk in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) in her only other start prior to the Hinkler Handicap.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.