Winter Cup winner Destiny’s Kiss is on track for the Group 2 $175,000 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on December 14 after putting in an eye catching performance at Rosehill on Saturday.
Destiny's Kiss ran a handy 7th to White Sage, above, in the Festival Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Joe Pride was more than pleased to see Destiny’s Kiss make up many lengths in the straight to finish five lengths seventh behind unbeaten mare White Sage in the Listed $100,000 Blackwoods Stanley Dewalt Festival Stakes (1500m).
“If there is a better Villiers trial, I didn’t see it,” Pride told AAP.
“I’m very happy with that. He made up a lot on the leaders and he will be a definite threat in the Villiers.”
White Sage scored a clear cut two lengths win over the talented Terravista, stablemate of Destiny’s Kiss, putting herself in a class of her own over the rest of the field.
Pride’s emerging star Terravista will miss the Villiers and will have a short break before being prepared for the Sydney Autumn Carnival, leaving Destiny’s Kiss to represent the Warwick Farm trainer in the Randwick feature.
Destiny’s Kiss proved a handy Winter money spinner for Pride by winning over 2000m against the open company horses at Rosehill before winning the Listed $100,000 Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on July 1.
Pride gave the five year old one more run and sent him out for a break after finishing fifth in the Listed $150,000 100th Grafton Cup (2350m) at Grafton on July 11.
Even though Destiny’s Kiss’ best form last preparation was over the 2000m and 2400m, he will be primed to run the 1600m of the Villiers Stakes at his third run back this campaign.
Destiny’s Kiss has been a good money spinner for owner Nick Moraitis, having earned over $300,000 from eight wins from twenty-five starts.
The Power Of Destiny gelding started his career with Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon who was able to win six races before he was transferred to Pride at Warwick Farm.
Pride has a very high opinion of Terravista and will prepare the four year old for some better quality races during the Sydney Autumn Carnival following a short break.
Pride said that Terravista was beaten by a better horse on the day but is more than impressed with the progress his four year old has made this preparation winning all three starts prior to Saturday’s second.
“It’s rare to see a horse do what he’s done during a preparation,” Pride said.
“We just happened to run into another one doing the same thing. I’m happy with how he went.”
