Ken Casellas | Photo: Pacepix
Ravenswood trainer Cameron Ross outlined ambitious plans for speedy four-year-old mare Steno after her impressive victory in the $22,000 Bridge Bar Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Not only will I be setting Steno for the feature events for mares in the summer, but I’ll be aiming her for the Golden Nugget, a race I’m confident she will be a worthy candidate,” said Ross.
Ross is basing much of his optimism on the performance of his five-year-old The Amber Hare, who was the only mare to run in the Golden Nugget last December when she raced in seventh position before surging to the front 600m from home and finishing fifth behind Himself.
The $200,000 Golden Nugget will be run over 2536m on December 15 and is certain to attract a field of outstanding four-year-olds.
Steno was a $6.10 chance from out wide at barrier seven in Friday night’s event, with Jocelyn Young getting the mare away to a flying start and bursting straight to the front.
After a lead time of 36.6sec. and an opening quarter of 30.2sec. Steno dashed over the next three 400m sections in 28.1sec.,29sec. and 28.9sec. and won by more than a length from the $2.40 favourite American Arma, who trailed the pacemaker all the way. Last-start winner Dontbesillychilli ($10) finished third after racing three back on the pegs.
The New South Wales-bred Steno, who is by outstanding American sire Sweet Lou, has won at two of her five starts in Western Australia, taking her career record to 26 starts for 12 wins, nine placings and $216,079 in prizemoney.