Gun gelding set for bigger prizes

Gelorup trainer Peter Giadresco believes gun galloper Watermans Bay is poised to claim the biggest scalp of his career in today’s $125,000 Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot.

The five-year-old gelding rose to prominence last year with a breakout campaign, defined by victories in the $90,000 Mungrup Sprint and $80,000 Cyril Flower Stakes.

Watermans Bay resumed in Perth last month and will be looking to improve on two fifth-placed finishes when he takes on his third assignment today.

“He’s an exciting sort of horse,” Giadresco said.

“For a horse that has not had a lot of starts he’s done really well.

“He had a big prep last year so now we’re targeting some of these rich races at Ascot and he looks well placed.”

The winner of $366,650 from 20 starts, including seven wins, will be out to swell his prizemoney this preparation.

“We hope to land a big one and we’re going to head into the Winterbottom (Stakes) with him,” Giadresco said.

“That’s a really good race. It’s great stake money.

“He’s up with those sprinters so it’s a matter of being in it to win it.”

Giadresco will saddle five horses at Bunbury today, including two in the GWN7 Maiden (1200m).

After winning her last trial at Lark Hill, Giadresco said four-year-old mare Mighty Blonde could be one to watch.

“I like her. I liked the way she won her trial the other day and I’d say she’s the pick of mine,” he said.

Last start Bunbury winners Angel Wing and Eyes Don’t Lie will go head to head in the Tabtouch Win Today Collect Today Hcp (1400m).

Angel Wing, trained by Simon Foster, claimed the third win of her 28-start career last month when she thundered home from 11th at the turn to win the Harvey Norman Superstore Bunbury Hcp (1200m) by 2½ lengths.

Eyes Don’t Lie resumed at Bunbury on October 20 to claim a breakthrough triumph in the SLR Performance and Mechanical Maiden (1400m).

The four-year-old gelding is trained in Bunbury by Michael Lane.