3 minute read

The John O’Shea trained White Sage made a big impression on debut and she gets her chance to back that up when she steps out in the Tab Iphone App Handicap (1300m) at Randwick today.

A daughter of Reset, White Sage is one of five last start winners in a competitive looking handicap, but it was her debut success at Kembla Grange that stands out and has her flagged as a filly to follow.

Sent out a well supported favourite White Sage travelled well in behind the leading bunch at Kembla and showed a neat turn of foot to put the race to bed, winning by seven lengths on the line, a margin that flattered those in behind.

A smart sectional and good overall time backed up the visual and the margin.

The time was easily the quickest on the card, though that fact is tempered somewhat by the standard of the day with the card consisting of nothing higher than a Benchmark 60.

There is little doubt that the performance was above-average, though, and the run is seen as good enough to be winning today without having to improve.

We have her marked odds-on and with prices greater than even money kicking around in early markets appearing a fair gamble.

Dangers come in the form of Hard To Find, a winner over the trip at Warwick Farm last time, and talented fillies Sweet Little Lies and Dazzler.

The two latter mentioned fillies have the ability but they are eight and seven runs without a win respectively and have largely proven disappointing.

Hard To Find’s latest win has subsequently stood up and she can prove the exacta horse.

Both second and fourth behind her on that occasion have since won, the runner up La Pieta, in fairly good style.

With just four starts to her name, the latest couple success stories, we can expect more to come from Hard To Find and she is a worthy rival but the feeling is that White Sage will have to go backwards to be turned over today and that would appear unlikely.

Best of luck and happy punting.