The 2016 Surround Stakes field has been released and Ghisoni is set to return to the races in the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Ghisoni will make her black-type racing debut in the 2016 Surround Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Ghisoni stamped herself as a filly to watch when she recorded impressive victories in the TAB Rewards Maiden Plate (1200m) at Warwick Farm on November 11 and the Watagan Grange Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 28 before she trialed in very impressive fashion at Royal Randwick on January 29.
The daughter of Lonhro was set to return to the races in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 13, but trainer John O’Shea elected to scratch the three-year-old after she left some feed in her bin the night before the race.
Jockey James McDonald was disappointed that Ghisoni missed the Light Fingers Stakes – a race that he is confident she would have won – but he believes the filly took no harm from the minor issue and is in excellent shape ahead of the Surround Stakes this weekend.
“I have seen her out at the farm and she looks tremendous,” McDonald said.
“She has really furnished into a nice filly and she is an exciting prospect.
“It was such a shame that she just had a slight hiccup prior to that first race she was supposed to have and I have no doubt she would have won that race.
“She is a very good filly for the future.
“The 1400 first-up is going to be tough for her, especially against this level of competition.”
Ghisoni is set to take on nine rivals in the Surround Stakes and the Light Fingers Stakes is set to be the key form guide.
Perignon showed an impressive turn-of-foot in the final stages of the race to record a strong victory and she will have the chance to make it two wins on the trot in the Surround Stakes, while the likes of Stay With Me and Pearls will have the chance to turn-the-tables on their rival.
Honesta finished second in a host of races during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and she is set to return to the races in the Surround Stakes along with Crown Oaks placegetter Ambience.
Single Gaze finished a strong second behind Mahuta in the Magic Millions Guineas and she returns to Fillies Company in the Surround Stakes along with last start winner Heartlings.
The 2016 Surround Stakes field is rounded out by Clarry Connors-trained Captured (barrier ten) and the lightly-raced Shotgun Roulette (barrier six).
