The Team Hawkes trained Bella Martini has firmed in the betting to be the odds on favourite for the Listed $150,000 Audi Alto Central Coast Gosford Guineas (1200m) at Gosford on Thursday.
Brenton Avdulla, above, rides Bella Martini in the Gosford Guineas at Gosford. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Bella Martini is the winner of three of her last four starts and has been well supported in the early betting for the Gosford Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au to be in the red at $1.90 on race eve.
The Stratum filly scored her initial win in a Pakenham two year old fillies Maiden in July before being sent for a Winter break.
The Hawkes Racing Team of John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes decided to keep Bella Martini in Melbourne and she resumed for a first up third in a 1200m BenchMark 64 Handicap at Sandown on November 22.
Bella Martini then won her next two starts comfortably, a 1200m BenchMark 64 Handicap at The Valley on December 8 and a 1200m BenchMark 70 Handicap at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes was very impressed with the filly’s Caulfield win and expects her to keep improving and be a prominent player in the 2018 Spring Carnival.
“She did a really good job,” Wayne Hawkes said after the win at Caulfield.
“She did a good job and quickened really well.”
“She is a filly going somewhere. The Autumn is not going to be her go but next Spring hopefully we will see a nice mare.”
Bella Martini has raced on the pace at her last two starts and Brenton Avdulla is certain to have her in the firing line from the outset from barrier three in the field that has been reduced to seven runners following the early scratching of Sneaky Fella.
On the second line of betting at $4.20 is Island Missile who is not far away from a win following his last start second in a 1400m BenchMark 76 Handicap at Randwick on January 6.
Hugh Bowman takes the ride on the Team Snowden trained three year old who will jump from the outside gate in the small Gosford Guineas field.
The James Cummings trained Epidemic is also well in contention at $4.50 coming off a last start third in a 1300m BenchMark 76 Handicap at Randwick on December 30.
The Godolphin owned Lonhro filly will jump from barrier four with Glyn Schofield in the saddle.
