Chasing gold closer to home the key for flying filly

Townsville trainer Georgie Holt is confident a decision to resist the lure of southern riches will give promising filly Anniemariah a great shot at winning next month’s $100,000 2yo Classic (1200m) at Cluden Park.

Anniemariah (58.5kg) will head a strong field of youngsters having their final lead-up for the north’s richest juvenile event in tomorrow’s 2yo Classic Prelude (1200m).

The daughter of Golden Archer has won two of her four starts including the Townsville qualifier for the $400,000 QTIS Jewel final run at the Gold Coast in March.

But Holt stuck solid to a plan targeting the 2yo Classic on June 12 on her home track.

“Winning a race like the Classic on our home track would be unbelievable. This race has always been the target,” Holt said.

“It would have been a rush and a big ask to get her to the Gold Coast and when you’ve got a pretty good horse you’ve got to look after them. We’ve stayed focused on the classic and given her a lovely prep for it. 

“After she won the Jewel qualifier here in February she won really well in Cairns and we’ve been able to give her a nice freshen up to get her ready.

“She has to give weight to the others on Thursday which will make it tougher but she is a strong filly and she can still win it.

“Frank (Edwards) knows her really well and this run should have her spot on for the Classic where she will be way better off under the set weights.”

Holt will also saddle up Gossiping Girl in the Prelude and says punters shouldn’t write her off.

Gossiping Girl has finished behind Anniemariah the three times they’ve met but is drawn to get a soft run from barrier 6 with 56kg.

Both fillies are raced by prominent racing identities Ross Donovan and Peter Malpass.

Premier trainer Roy Chillemi is also set to play a major role in the Prelude with three runners – all winners - Boomed, Palencia and Figured.

Top senior hoop Graham Kliese is hoping to make the best of a late call up for untapped gelding Palencia.

Kliese picked up the late ride on Palencia when he won on debut at Cluden on May 6, leading throughout.

It was Kliese’s first ride for the Chillemi stable in almost eight years and he has been retained for the gelding tomorrow.

“Roy normally has his regular riders but under the circumstances the other day I was a late fill in. It was great to ride for Roy again and hopefully we can go well again this week,” Kliese said.

“The horse was pretty green and although it’s a tougher field I really liked the way he led them up and kicked away.”

Chillemi has rested his smart filly Husette, but along with Palencia, last start winners Boomed and Figured he could have four starters in the Classic.

Meanwhile, Battle of the Bush qualified Raiden, grand sprinter Beau Jet, Our Alicia’s Lane, Full Recognition and greybeard Perfect Knowledge are set to fight out the Brown Brothers Wine and Food Festival Open Hcp (1000m).

Our Alicia’s Lane was an eye-catcher last start finishing second to Ahwahneechee at his third run this time in.

The five-year-old will carry only 53.5kg with apprentice Krysten Swaffer’s 3kg claim and looks ready to capture the form he produced to score back-to-back wins at Cluden at the end of his last preparation.

Pictured: Jockey Frank Edwards guides Anniemariah to a strong win in the QTIS Jewel qualifier at Cluden in February. The filly has been saved for her main target, the $1000,000 2yo Classic on June 12. Photo courtesy of Mike Mills Photography  

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