Gary Harley – Herald – 21.03.2023

Promising Gosford trained three-year-old Karedada must contend with an adverse barrier when he returns to racing at the Wine Country Race Club Beaumont track race meeting on Tuesday. Trained by the astute Angela Davies, the gelding has only had two starts – both on Newcastle tracks. On Tuesday he will contest the TAB Venue Mode Class 1 Handicap (1200m).

In October on a heavy track, Karedada contested an unsuitable 900m Maiden on the Newcastle Course Proper, and he finished midfield. At his next start he was the talk of the track when he demolished a maiden field on the Beaumont track by 6 lengths. Karedada has had two quiet barrier trials recently. Andrew Gibbons has ridden the son of Wandjina in both race starts and at his two recent trials. The negative on Tuesday is that he has barrier twelve, however there will be scratching’s.

Kris Lees and his apprentice Dylan Gibbons will combine with three-year-old filly Bespangled, favourite in the Australian Bloodstock Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap (1200m). Despite remaining winless in her five starts Bespangled has outstanding form for this race. In her two starts at Gosford in January before she went for a spell, the filly was beaten 0.73 and 1.18 lengths and she has the speed to overcome the wide barrier. Gibbons was aboard Bespangled first up on the Kensington track on March 8, and she had no luck. Trapped three wide with no cover the filly was gallant in finishing third, 2 ¼ lengths from the winner. Bespangled will face strong opposition from Doubtless Lady who has a soft draw. The filly had two starts late last year, both on the Newcastle Course Proper. In both starts she was strong late, going down by 1.01 and 1.67 lengths.

L’esperance Rock has put the writing on the wall in recent starts, and she can break through in the New Era Technology Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m). Three starts back on the Newcastle Course Proper she was placed behind two potential Group winners. The mare was narrowly beaten on this track on February 13, and last start at Taree she was nailed on the line. She has drawn well and Ash Morgan rides.

Richard Litt’s three-year-old Romeo’s Choice is well placed in the Kloster Motor Group CG&E Maiden Handicap (1200m). The gelding has been runner up in his past two starts at Canterbury and Hawkesbury. He is an on pacer and Aaron Bullock has the mount.