Guineas likely target for Aquilifer

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer Sam Mynott and owner Ben Kwok are forming quite the formidable partnership.

Singapore-based Kwok has enjoyed success with the Mynott-trained Imwonderfultonight, who has placed in the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m), and the pair could have another handy galloper on their hands.

Three-year-old filly Aquilifer carried Kwok’s silks to her second win from four starts when victorious in the Bay Ford Handicap (1400m) at Hasting on Sunday.

The daughter of Charm Spirit was caught in a three-way speed duel early on, however, when the lead wasn’t there, jockey Jasmine Fawcett eased her charge back to settle in the one-one.

Aquilifer entered the straight four-wide on even terms with local hope Gohugo, who quickly hit the front and looked to have Aquilifer’s measure until the final 50m when she lifted and was able to grab her rival on the line to win by a nose.

Mynott was pleased with her fresh-up effort and is now eyeing a potential trip to Trentham next month for the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).

“It has been a good track to me, so it was nice to get another win there,” Mynott said.

“She was fresh-up and we didn’t trial her, so I always knew she was going to come on from this run. I had been really happy with her work leading into it and if all went well, I knew she should be there in the money.

“We are going to see how she comes through the run and look at a few options. One option is the Wellington Guineas, otherwise we will find a three-year-old set weights and penalties race.”

Mynott was particularly pleased to get the winning result for Kwok, who also bred the filly.

“Ben has been such a big supporter of mine and it was great to get that win for him. I think she is a smart little filly,” she said.

Kwok will also have plenty to look forward to in the coming month with Imwonderfultonight, who is set to return to the stable at the end of the week following a short freshen-up following her last placing in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this month.

“She came through her race well,” Mynott said. “She is in the paddock now just having a freshen-up. She will be back in the stable at the end of this week and she will be heading toward the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m) at Trentham next month.”

Meanwhile, Mynott enjoyed watching stable representative Verismo put in another pleasing southern performance at Ascot Park on Saturday when placing in the Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m).

“She has done well down there,” Mynott said. “She has made it worth the trip down to the south. She ran fourth in the Listed race a couple of weeks ago and third again in the Invercargill Cup, I am pleased with her.

“She has come through it really well. There is another race at Wingatui in a fortnight for her, a rating 75 2200m, that we may head for if all goes well.” 

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