The Colin Scott trained Speediness returns to racing in grand style by winning the $75,000 Sale Quality on Sunday. 76862
By David Nagel
PROMISING Pakenham trained four-year-old gelding Speediness kicked-off his preparation in fine style on Sunday by beating a quality field to take out the $75,000 Sale Quality (1200m).
The Colin Scott trained horse was having his first run since September last year and was set no simple assignment by Scott, with every horse in the field being a city winner including two at their last starts.
With gun jockey Glenn Boss booting the horse out from barrier three, the son of Testa Rossa raced on pace throughout the journey before holding off the fast finishing Princess Narine by a neck on the line with Miss Matari back in third place. The second and third placegetters fought out a near dead-heat at Caulfield in early January giving further credence to the Speediness win.
Speediness was the best backed runner on Sunday getting crunched in late from $3.20 to $2.60 with Sunday’s win taking his career record to three wins, two seconds and two thirds from eight starts. The four-year-old pocketed $45,750 for the win and took his career prize money to a tick over $175,000.
It was a pleasant change of luck for the Speediness camp who endured a luckless campaign towards the end of last year. The exciting galloper will now head to Flemington on Saturday 18 February to continue a campaign that could end with a trip interstate.
Meanwhile, it wasn’t all good news for Pakenham trainers at Sale with the John Gunning trained Swift Flight failing by a short half head to end her maiden status over 1400 metres.
Gunning bred and owns the four-year-old mare who looked the winner at varying times down the long Sale straight, eventually losing a two-horse war with three-year-old Stringy.
Gunning will this Saturday take his mighty mare Hi Belle to Caulfield to contest the $125,000 Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m). Hi Belle has been given top-weight of 57.5 kilos for the race but does sprint well fresh so should be right in the finish. The mare held her own in a gallop with Speediness at Pakenham last week.
Although Gunning has a deep love and respect for his mare even he would concede she won’t be the best mare on display at Caulfield. Speed-freak Black Caviar steps out to 1400 metres for the first time in the $400,000 C.F. Orr Stakes as she attempts to add to her 17-run unblemished record and $4.5million in prize money.
