Gritty Gabby Good to Go

Promising filly Gabby’s Ready has already won a major battle to make it to the races, and young trainer Matt McGuire is confident she can go one better and claim a timely win at Cluden Park on Sunday.

The Spirit Of Boom filly will continue her remarkable recovery from a near career ending eye injury when she lines up as a hot fancy for McGuire in the Cluden Park QTIS 2YO Mdn Hcp (1000m).

A product of the Magic Millions March Sale, Gabby’s Ready turned in a slashing second on debut when she finished an unlucky second to the smart Craicaro over the 1000m course at Cluden on January 13.

McGuire says the filly, his only starter on Sunday, can provide his stable with a welcome return to form.

“We probably haven’t had many starters over the Christmas-New Year but luck hasn’t been on our side. The horses seem to be running well but things haven’t gone our way – hopefully Gabby can change it for us,” McGuire said.

“She was amazing first-up – three deep the trip and just got run down the last 50m by what looks to be a smart horse.

“Hopefully she gets it a bit easier on Sunday. If something wants to go mad and lead she can sit off them but if there’s not enough pace she can lead. 

“I expect her to run very well.”

The fact Gabby’s Ready is even racing has been a battle won already for McGuire.

She suffered a serious puncture wound to an eye in the spelling paddock before she’d been educated and the early prognosis was grim.

“She spent two to three weeks at the vets down south. At one stage there was a chance she’d lose the eye, but they did skin graphs and that sort of thing to make sure she could see out of it and fortunately she came through it,” McGuire said.

“That was an expensive procedure but the vet did a fantastic job.

“We had four two-year-olds to break in this year and she was the last one to come in. We were told she would probably take longer than the others and to take our time but she ended up being quicker…two months later she’s at the races.

“She a fantastic filly and hasn’t taken a backward step since her first run.”

Gabby’s Ready will again be ridden by Denicious “Denny” Smith and from gate four has been installed the early favourite for Sunday’s event.

Meanwhile, ultra-consistent galloper Hell Of A Boy will chase his second Cluden win in just over a week in the Mitavite Open Hcp (1400m) for trainer Tony Comerford.

Townsville apprentice Isabella Teh, fresh from a winning double on January 13, will again be on the Eurozone five-year-old who will carry just 53kg.

Sunday’s eight-event card gets underway with the Cluden Park 2YO Mdn Hcp (1000m) at 12.24pm.

Pictured: Gabby's Ready (pink colours) goes down fighting to Craicaro at her first race start at Cluden. The filly is a leading hope on Sunday.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.