Hinkler Assignment for Away Game

Not seen at the races since her poor showing in the Gr1 Surround Stakes in February, Magic Millions 2YO Classic-winning filly Away Game (Snitzel-Elusive Wonder, by Elusive Quality) will commence her current campaign on Saturday in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm. On the fifth line of betting behind Tony Gollan’s Garibaldi (I Am Invincible-Sonnenblume, by Exceed And Excel), a last start fourth in the Gr3 BRC Sprint, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Away Game is yet to win in her four starts at three, after a juvenile campaign that saw the ultra-tough filly race in four different states, recording four black type wins as well as a gallant second to Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in the Gr1 Golden Slipper. With $3.14 million in earnings from her 12 career starts, Kerrin McEvoy will be on the filly for the first time on Saturday and from barrier nine, will need to be positive to try and get her into a handy position early and allow her to settle. With a solid record at the track and distance, as well as jumping away from barrier 1, Garibaldi, who carries the Black Soil Bloodstock silks, does look the hardest to defeat on paper, while the former Hong Kong galloper I Am Power (Power-Bridge Note, by Stravinsky) has recorded a win and a second from his two runs in Australia and is a very interesting commodity stepping up to stakes class for Mark Newnham.

High class filly Away Game (pic: Steve Hart)