Queen’s Gamble is set to join some of Sydney’s top fillies in the upcoming Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick. Trainer Matthew Smith, however, possesses a strong historical indicator to support his belief in her competitive potential.
Smith previously trained Hurtle Myrtle, who participated in all four events of the 2009 Princess Series. She achieved placings in three of those races, including a third behind the highly-rated More Joyous in the Group 1 Flight Stakes over 1600 metres.
The following autumn, Hurtle Myrtle narrowly missed securing a significant victory, being beaten only at the line by the standout galloper More Joyous in the Surround Stakes (1400m), held that year at Warwick Farm.
“She was good as a three-year-old. One day at Warwick Farm, Hurtle Myrtle ran against More Joyous. More Joyous was about $1.20 and Hurtle Myrtle headed her with about fifty (metres) to go before More Joyous kicked back and won the race and I thought, oh my God,” Smith recounted.
“This filly is similar. A scopey type of filly who is unassuming.
“I think there are similarities. Queen’s Gamble has had a few runs, but she seems to be handling her racing well.”
After resuming with two second-place finishes in midweek races at Canterbury, Queen’s Gamble broke her maiden status with a dominant performance at Warwick Farm on August 19. She subsequently delivered an even more impressive victory by over three lengths at the same track last start.
Smith has been impressed by the filly’s consistent improvement with each start, admitting that her rapid development has been a surprise to the stable.
“She’s only a lightly-framed filly, so we were never really looking for anything big at home,” Smith stated.
“For that reason, she has probably got under our guard a little bit because we hadn’t been asking her for much.
“Her first two runs were good and the way she pulled up after each run she didn’t really need a lot of work, so I just kept ticking her over and she has gone from strength to strength.”
Tommy Berry, who has ridden Queen’s Gamble in three of her five starts, is scheduled to partner her in the 1400-metre Tea Rose Stakes.
Smith is anticipating a strong showing, but believes the filly’s optimal performance will come when she steps up to the mile distance for the Flight Stakes next month.
“She will definitely be suited in the Flight,” he said.
“If we get a strong-run gallop, the 14 (1400m) will suit her, but the Flight will be better.”
On Thursday, Queen’s Gamble was priced at $8, while Chilly Girl, the winner of the Rosebud, was the $3.30 favourite.
Check out the latest online bookmakers for betting markets for the Tea Rose Stakes.
