Talented filly Honesty Prevails will press on to the Reisling Stakes and Golden Slipper after she made her racing debut with an outstanding victory in the 2016 Widden Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Honesty Prevails was most impressive in the 2016 Widden Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Honesty Prevails was well-backed in the lead-up to the Widden Stakes after she impressed with two smart barrier trial performances at Royal Randwick and she was settled just behind the speed by jockey Tye Angland in the early stages of the race.
Kentucky Miss took up the running at the top of the straight and Honesty Prevails looked as though she may be blocked for a run, but she responded quickly when Angland found a gap and she put a gap on her rivals late to record a strong win from Smart Amelia and Chipanda.
Trainer Rick Worthington has been through a very tough time in recent years after battling with cancer and he was clearly emotional after the race, but he was still able to remain composed and confirm that the Redoute’s Choice filly will head towards the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on March 5 and the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 19.
“I told Jason (Collett) if she handles the going she will beat these and it was great to see her do that,” Worthington said.
“I’ve been very quiet about this filly.
“I’ve only got a small team, but this is a nice trip back from oblivion.
“The emotion is there, I’m just trying to keep myself contained.
“From here I would like to see her have a little freshen up then the Reisling Stakes and the obvious from there.”
Collett gave Honesty Prevails an ideal run in transit and he was always confident that the talented filly was going to be able to finish over the top of her rivals in the Widden Stakes.
The in-form hoop is keen to maintain his association with Honesty Prevails and he is confident that she will have no problem running out a strong 2000 metres.
“She is pretty good, an out-and-out racehorse,” Collett said.
“She took it all in her stride today, puts herself in the right spot, races professionally and on the turn I was the only one travelling, so I was pretty confident.
“The gap came and I decided to take it rather than wait and perhaps be unlucky trying to get out with 100m to go.
“What impressed me was how strong she was late, she destroyed them.
“This filly will run 1200m easily.”
Honesty Prevails is currently available at 2016 Golden Slipper Stakes odds of $13 with Ladbrokes and is on the third line of betting behind Capitalist ($3.60) and Astern ($9).
