A promising three-year-old sprinter is out to launch a campaign that could take him into black type territory when he returns at Thursday’s feature Gosford meeting.
Just Response, a powerfully built old son of Triple Crown winner Justify in the Nathan Doyle stable at Newcastle, tackles a Benchmark 64 Hcp for the boys over 1200m.
It will be his first outing since late November when narrowly missing in a Class 1 at Hawkesbury.
Prior to that, Just Response had broken his maiden at his third start leading all the way by two lengths at Gosford, running 1.09.60 for the 1200m, a full half second faster than the BM 64 winner that day.
And the gelding has signalled a big return, winning both lead-up trials over 1000m, the latest sitting outside the lead before cruising clear late under a hold, with a big gap back to the third horse.
Opening around $2.90 in early betting, connections seemingly have plenty of options with Just Reponse if all goes to plan.
He could be aimed at a midweek metropolitan race before tackling the Tamworth Cup over 1400m on April 24, and a shot at booking a spot in the Big Dance at Randwick in spring.
The stable could also target a feature sprint up to Listed level over the Scone carnival in mid-May.
Meanwhile local fans will be pinning their eyes on a home track filly who makes her long-awaited debut in an intriguing Midway Maiden Handicap over 1000m for the two-year-olds.
Shalash, an exciting daughter of Xtravagant in the Adam Duggan stable, starts behind an impressive trial on the Beaumont track at Newcastle where she showed good cruising speed under a hold finishing just behind a winner who was pushed out.
Jumping from a handy trailing draw, and naturally bred to get further, leading city jockey Tommy Berry has been booked to ride.
Shalash, who opened around $4.00, will likely be one-third of an intense three-way betting battle.
Two rivals having their second start, Warwick Farm-based filly Chataigne quoted at $3.70 early and Rosehill colt Bold Bucks ($3.90), are both likely to command market support.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
