Progressive Gatwick earns stakes race shot after Rosehill win

Connections of Gatwick will consider finding an early-season stakes race target for the progressive mare after she made it two wins from her past three starts with a gritty performance at Rosehill.

Flying the gates for jockey Zac Lloyd, Gatwick ($2.70 fav) went straight to the front in Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1200m) and gave a strong kick on the corner before staving off the bid of eventual runner-up Ernaux ($9) by a short neck.

That pair gapped the rest with Kwirky Smile ($5.50) best of the chasers, another 5-3/4 lengths away.

“She was dynamic out of the gates, and it was probably won in the first part of the race,” said Ben Elam, stable representative for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

“She is by Ole Kirk, so I always thought she’d run it out strongly. Even though she did a little bit in the early stages, he got a breather midrace, and she toughed it out well.

“Back on better footing for her, she showed that dynamic little turn of foot she’s got, and then she sustains that speed, which is crucial.”

Gatwick kicked off her campaign in April, but her runs have been spaced and pending how she comes through the Rosehill win, Elam hasn’t ruled out continuing her preparation.

Given she has the benefit of race fitness, targeting an early-season black type assignment isn’t out of the question.

“She’s a horse we’ve always had a good opinion of, and it’s an interesting time of year,” Elam said.

“She’s rock-hard fit and there are probably some lower grade stakes races that might pop up where she’s the rock-hard fit horse, and there are some more proven horses returning from a break.

“There is a little bit to ponder there . . . it’s a good problem to have when you’ve got a progressive horse like this.”

It will be an important week for the stable with Golden Slipper winner Guest House set to make his first public appearance as a three-year-old in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Tuesday as he prepares for a Golden Rose tilt.

“He had his final gallop here (at Rosehill) this morning on the course proper and went through his gears really nicely,” Elam said.

“I’m looking forward to getting him back to the trials where we can let him do a little bit more.”