Sunshine Coast trained filly Pennino ploughed through the mud at the Gold Coast today to score an all the way win in the Group 3 $140,000 Brandons Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).
Boomsara, above in yellow cap and red sleeves winning the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, failed to handle the wet conditions and finished last in the Gold Coast Guineas at the Gold Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.
Heavy rain arrived at the Gold Coast prior to the running of the Gold Coast Guineas which forced trained Tony Gollan to scratch the pre post short priced favourite Zoustyle thirty minute before start time, reducing the field for the feature race for the three year olds to seven runners with Zousain, Ef Troop and Charge already on the scratching’s list.
Pennino is by the outstanding wet track sire Easy Rocking and winning trainer Darryl Hansen was gaining confidence by the minute as the rain tumbled down pre race and the track was rated a Heavy 9.
“She gets through the heavy and when it kept raining we were pretty happy,” Hansen said.
“Everyone was hoping it would rain and they got it.”
“She is so consistent. She is a Stakes winner and is now a Group 3 winner.”
Hansen wasn’t in a rush to identify Pennino’s next race start during the Queensland Winter Carnival and will see what’s on offer before he makes his next move with the filly.
“I love this horse. She is so consistent and under estimated and everyone forgets about her in races like this,” Hansen said.
“We will be playing it day by day. We will let the dust settle and see where we go next.”
Winning jokey Matt McGillivray had Pennino ($11) quickly out of the gates and shared the lead in the early and middle stages with Boomsara ($2.25 favourite) and Poet’s Landing ($13).
A line of three faced the judge as heads were turned for home but with Pennino gliding through the sloshy conditions with ease, was able to hold out all the challenges for a one length win over Defence Missile ($10) who tried hard in the straight.
The $71 outsider of the field Million finished a gallant third while Boomsara faded in the run to the line to finished last of the seven runners.
