Dawson Stud-bred mares Kissonallforcheeks and This’ll Testya filled out minor placings in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago and they won’t get it any easier despite dropping back to G3 company in The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Godolphin galloper Paulele (Dawn Approach) bloused out the locals with a paralysing finish in the Winterbottom and the Blue Army is back in the west with Kementari (Lonhro) and Vilana (Hallowed Crown) for The Gold Rush.
Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) has opened a $4.20 favourite and This’ll Testya (Testa Rossa) is being kept safe at $14 for the $1.5 million event that highlights Day 5 of The Pinnacles.
“It’s no secret that I’ve got a big opinion of Kissonallforcheeks and there are a few things in her favour,” trainer Dan Morton said. “She has a great strike-rate over 1400m at Ascot but we’re under no allusions because it’s a very good field.”
Graham Daws bred and sold Kissonallforcheeks for $120,000 through Newhaven Park at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions and she has banked over $1.42 million for owners Jill O’Sullivan and Darren White.
She came of age as a 3yo in 2020-21 with Listed victories in the Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic and Bunbury Breeders Classic to help Written Tycoon annex that season’s Australian sires’ title. Her dam Rosie Rocket (Blackfriars) was a Listed winner of a Starstruck Classic and La Trice Classic at Ascot.
This’ll Testya (Testa Rossa) is another Daws-bred graduate and she has returned $563,775 for a syndicate that bought her for $52,000 at the 2017 Perth Magic Millions. Her dam Camille’s Girl (Flying Spur) is related to Sydney Group 2 winners Katima (Silver Shadow Stakes) and Differential (Pago Pago Stakes).
“I’m so proud of her,” trainer Mitch Pateman said after she defeated Kissonallforcheeks in the LR Cyril Flower Quality (1200m) earlier this year. “She loves a high-pressure challenge and I can’t believe how well she’s done from prep to prep.”
The Dawson team will back up for more of the same on Sunday watching Sight Success sport the 3DW brand in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.
Although overshadowed by the glamour sprinters on International Day, he could be the surprise packet after justifying his claims in key prelims.
Sight Success (Magnus) has won 7 times in 21 starts while improving his rating from 52 to 112. “He raced well last season and it’s good that he’s back in that form,” trainer John Size said after a last-start fourth in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on November 20.
Hong Kong expat Sight Success sports the 3DW brand at trackwork this week (Photo / HKJC)
He looked the part in a 1200m barrier trial last Friday jumping two lengths in front and staying on well under a tight rein alongside Gallant Waking. Size sent him out for a final spin on Wednesday morning ahead of a career-high assignment under Christophe Lemaire.
Dawson sold him for $45,000 at the 2018 Perth Magic Millions and he’s earned the equivalent of AUD2.14 million for owner Tam Wing Kun. His Moonee Valley-winning dam Tarp is by Bletchley Park (Ire) who won multiple WA sires’ premierships when Dawson was based at Southern River.
“Sight Success is pretty happy with himself,” Size said yesterday. “And based on how he’s done, I’m hopeful that he can hold it on Sunday.”
