Group Wishes for Flemington contender

Promising filly Thousand Wishes will audition for a crack at a Group race when she steps out at Flemington on Wednesday.

The Danny O’Brien-trained filly has shown plenty of promise with a second at Sale and a strong win at Geelong in her two starts and will have her first city start in the Rose of May Handicap (1420m).

O’Brien said the daughter of Lope De Vega has the potential to be effective over more ground as her campaign developed. The filly’s preparation could take in a Group II assignment if she runs well on Wednesday.

“I thought her maiden win was good but if she can run well on Saturday, she can certainly go on to better fillies’ races,” O’Brien said.

“I think she’ll run at least a mile or maybe further.

“She’ll go to the Edward Manifold Stakes next and we’ll see where she goes from there.”

Damien Oliver was aboard Thousand Wishes in her Geelong victory and will stick with the three-year-old in Wednesday’s $40,000 assignment.

Sportsbet has Thousand Wishes as a $5.50 second favourite behind the top pick Amphitrite.

The O’Brien stable will also run Portman in the Star Of The Realm Handicap (1100m). The betting agency has the six-year-old as a $14 chance for his second-up assignment.

Portman finished midfield in a Benchmark 84 race at Bendigo first-up, but O’Brien said a lack of options meant the son of Makfi would compete in another short-course affair.

“He’s running at Flemington on Wednesday because of the programming,” O’Brien said.

“He needs 1400 or 1600m but there isn’t much around for him at his level at the moment.”

Oliver will also be aboard Portman, who will carry 62kg in the Benchmark 70 race, on Wednesday.

Story by Brad Waters. To view full Racenet story click here

Pic by Racing Photos