Angela Davies’ eye for a yearling may have unearthed a stakes prospect for her small Gosford stable.
Machinegun Jubs has made her mark on the provincial circuit and Davies will raise the bar in the NGS Super Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Owner Michael Abdallah, who bred dual Group One placegetter Avoid Lightning, gave Machinegun Jubs to Davies to train.
“He asked me to go up and have a look at his yearlings in the paddock,” Davies said.
“I said ‘I really like that filly’ and he said ‘alright she can be your first one for me’.
“You put your neck on the line when you pick horses out of the paddock.
“I’m just very fortunate that she’s able to gallop.”
Davies was delighted with Machinegun Jubs’ performance to win her fourth race from six attempts in the $35,000 Godolphin Tiara at Muswellbrook on September 11.
“She absolutely dashed and showed a wonderful turn of foot to win the Tiara,” Davies said.
That was the four-year-old mare’s second consecutive win after a class two race on her home track on August 23.
On Wednesday she will be pitted against Godolphin colt Morton’s Fork who has won at Saturday metropolitan grade.
While Morton’s Fork is resuming from a short spell, Machinegun Jubs is having her fourth start for the preparation.
After apprentice jockey Blaike McDougall’s three-kilogram claim, Machinegun Jubs will carry 54.5kg, 4.5kg less than Morton’s Fork
“If she can win tomorrow then you’d think we might be able to sneak away with a fillies and mares Listed race somewhere,” Davies said.
Davies has got her small team firing, with nine wins and six placings from her last 27 starts.
And she’s not the only Gosford trainer kicking goals, with the Fred Cowell-trained Mighty Lucky set to run in Saturday’s Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
But they face an uncertain future as they fight to stay on course after Gosford Racing Club announced plans last year to evict the 15 trainers by December.
Davies said she met with Racing NSW in Sydney on Tuesday and is hopeful they will be allowed to stay.
“It’s very serious and very worrying for all of us,” Davies said.
“The trainers are going really well so let’s hope they leave us where we are.”
