Racing: Walsh seeks happy return

Ethical (left) will be hoping to strike a heavy track for the Trentham Gold Cup on Saturday. Photo / Trish Dunell

Foxton horsewoman treks back to Brisbane after 20 years with in-form Exquisite Jewel.

It has been nearly 20 years since Sue Walsh campaigned a horse in Australia, but she's hoping Exquisite Jewel's trip to the Brisbane Winter Carnival can be just as fruitful.

Walsh produced Chatham to win the Eagle Farm Stakes during the 1998 winter carnival, the Noel Harris-ridden grey heading a Kiwi-trifecta with Cronus and Silky Oak filling the minor placings.

While Walsh lived for three years on the Sunshine Coast, she wasn't training over that period and she was looking forward to again saddling a runner on Australian turf.

"It's been a while, probably since Chatham won at Eagle Farm, but nothing changes. We're here to do our best," the Foxton trainer said.

Exquisite Jewel takes strong New Zealand 3-year-old form into Saturday's The Roses (2000m) at Doomben, having raced in group company for her past six starts for a Manawatu Classic win (2000m) over Werther at Awapuni, a second to that subsequent South Australian Derby runner-up in the Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie, a third in the Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and a fourth in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at the same venue.

"Her last two starts she's run the quinella with Werther: us beating him at Awapuni and then him turning the tables at Ellerslie. Werther's form has been strong in Australia so that's encouraging," Walsh said.

"It's hard to gauge our form against the Aussies because you just don't know till you race. She's got good form around [fellow Roses and Queensland Oaks hopeful] Platinum Witness as well and we think we'll both be right up there with them."

Walsh won't fast-work Exquisite Jewel in Brisbane before Saturday, having done all she needed with the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan-bred Lucky Unicorn filly before she crossed the Tasman on Sunday.

"She was ready when she left."

"She travelled well and she's settled in as good as gold. This race will give her a look around Doomben before the Oaks. She's done really well since her last run, but it will be five weeks between races so whatever she does on Saturday she'll improve on for the Oaks."

The Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be run at Doomben on May 30, seven days after The Roses.

Experienced Queensland rider Jim Byrne takes the ride on Exquisite Jewel on Saturday from barrier four.

• Ethical and Mangaroa Flo Jo share the same parentage, but they possess different racing demeanours.

The year-older Ethical is a rain lover and a test of any jockey's commitment, while her sibling is more versatile and obliging in her approach.

Not that their Cambridge trainer Graham Thomas has any complaints with either mare after eight wins between them in light careers.

The chalk-and-cheese daughters of High Chaparral and No Fibs head to Wellington on Saturday, with Ethical to run in the Trentham Gold Cup and Mangaroa Flo Jo to step out in the Haight Ashbury Premier.

"Ethical is the quietest horse you'll ever see, but she's very, very hard work in her races," Thomas said.

"She always drops back and the jockeys have to keep pushing and pushing her.

"Rory Hutchings rode her in her first win and he was still blowing a week later."

Ethical has added a further four wins in her subsequent 14 starts, including last year's Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie and after a break she has had two outings this time in.

"I'm not saying she won't be competitive and her work has been very good, but she's still a run away," Thomas said.

"Mangaroa Flo Jo is a different kettle of fish altogether and she can go on better tracks," Thomas said.

The recent winner of two races and three from 13 career appearances, a winter break beckons the 4-year-old.

- NZ Racing Desk