Hugh Bowman has predicted Asiago could have a Group 1 in her future after a stunning Kembla Grange Classic victory on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Godolphin horse took out one of the tightest finishes to the Group 3 race in memory, edging Shout the Bar by a short head. All Saints' Eve was third, with Missile Mantra in fourth.
Remarkably, the first 10 horses in the annual 1600 metre three-year-old classic were separated by just one-and-three-quarter lengths.
Bowman navigated significant traffic as Asiago charged down the straight and even he admitted he wasn't sure whether the filly had hit the front before passing the winning post.
"I was so far out wide, I wasn't sure," Bowman said. "I've fallen into the trap of thinking you win when you lose before. I thought I'd won, but I wasn't sure until I returned.
"She came here with good credentials and she did a super job. She had to make her own luck there at the top of the straight, she didn't have much room to go.
"I thought I had the horse to manoeuvre through that tight run. She was very game, it was a good effort."
The win was Asiago's second Group 3 victory, the three-year-old taking out the Spring Stakes last November.
The Godolphin stable are now set to aim Asiago at Sydney's Autumn Carnival and while assistant trainer Darren Beadman said they don't have a specific race in mind, Bowman is confident she can challenge for victory in the Australian Oaks.
"She's got Oaks written all over her, 2000m she'll eat up and I think she can go beyond," Bowman said.
"The team will work out the plan for her, but she's certainly got a bright future."
Kerry Parker's Sorridere was the lone local horse to contest the feature race, the filly, which jumped at $201, in the mix before fading badly down the straight to finish last.
While pleased to fly the flag for Kembla Grange's trainers, Parker was disappointed with the way the race panned out.
"It was disappointing," Parker said. "She was a little bit reluctant to go into the barriers today, which isn't really her.
"I thought she could have held on a little bit better than she did. I think all in all, that was her worst run she's put in yet.
"It's a shame to do it in a Group 3, not because we thought she'd come here and win, but I would have liked if she held her own for longer.
"He aim has always been the Adrian Knox Stakes the week before the Oaks. It depends on how she pulls up today, I could find a niggle in the next couple of days."
While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.