Golino confident ahead of Oaks

If you haven’t already got her in the harness racingblack book, grab a pen and write her in now.

 

That’s the advice to punters from trainer Anton Golino on his filly My Tribeca, who lines up in tomorrow night’s Group 1 Noel Simpson Memorial Victoria Trotters Oaks at Tabcorp Park Melton.

 

The Italian-bred trotter goes into the Oaks the only maiden in the field, but her two starts to date have yielded runner-up finishes behind My Arya – Brent Lilley-trained Oaks favourite – and Fiery Mountain Girl – a last-start NSW Derby winner who is third-favourite tomorrow.

 

My Tribeca’s run was enormous last time behind My Arya in the NSW Oaks, the hulking Sydneysider galloping early after suffering a check and hitting a wheel before making up many lengths in the final half-mile.

 

In the finish she was beaten 2.3m and closing the gap on My Arya rapidly.

 

Once the penny drops Golino says the daughter of French sire Goetmals Wood out of an Italian mare Image will be “special”.

 

“She’ll be a very, very good horse in 12 months’ time,” he said.

 

“She’s a strong filly physically. Obviously My Arya is the benchmark and she has the runs on the board but My Tribeca just needs to learn how to race now.”

 

On debut when My Tribeca peeled out to chase down Fiery Mountain Girl she broke stride and had to settle for second.

 

“She probably should have won,” Golino said.

 

“They ran a 27 last quarter and it was just a bit of greenness that got her. She tried to go a little bit too quick.”

 

Todd McCarthy returns to Melbourne to drive My Tribeca and another exciting Golino-trained trotter, Arboe, in the Group 2 Bacardi Lindy Mares Trot (Race 3).

 

“Todd loves them both, especially Arboe,” Golino said.

 

“It’s a privilege to train them really, these horses. They’re well-bred, top-quality horses … Todd is very happy to have the opportunity I’m sure.”

 

Golino said Arboe, who defeated Claudys Princess last time out at Menangle over a mile, would be better suited to the 2240m trip of tomorrow’s assignment.

 

She has also pulled a plum gate, barrier two, while Claudys Princess has to come from inside the back row, following out Maybelina from the pole.