The 1200m distance in Saturday’s Listed Redoutes Choice Stakes (1200m) raised some concerns beforehand for Lindsay Park’s Gin Twist filly, and while she didn’t fully settle the issue, her handlers are far from disappointed.
This Home Affairs filly came into the race off a victory in Flemington’s Listed Festival Stakes (1000m), but she had found the going tough previously in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) amid heavy conditions, with Saturday’s setup playing right into her strengths.
Drumfire, a key player in the market, got scratched due to misbehaving in the stalls, and Luke Currie guided the post-race $2.90 favourite Gin Twist to lead unchallenged in the five-horse lineup, holding on gamely to beat debut runner Oak Lightning ($8) by a narrow half-neck, with Buggsy ($3) finishing third a length behind.
Co-trainer Will Hayes, working with Ben and JD, viewed the result as encouraging and enough to justify pressing on to her fifth start.
“It was a real professional effort,” Hayes said.
“Credit to the team, we got her back to the farm to see how she did between runs and she gave us the inclination to come today and she franked that decision.
“Luke Currie summed up the race very well, he was very open minded how the race shape could look, being a small field, just to see her relax in front in the early stages, her ears were flicking at the top of the straight, we knew she’d have a bit of kick left at the top of the straight.”
Hayes noted Gin Twist would probably now enjoy a rest after pocketing $256,000 and two listed wins in her first preparation launched back in January.
“She’s put in a great prep,” Hayes said.
“Most likely (she’ll spell), but as always, we’ll see how she pulls up and make the decision as a team on Monday, winning 1200 (metres) here today is another string to her bow.
“She’s very honest, very professional and she gets the most out of herself.”
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