Primed to continue his unique niche

ASTUTE horseman Damian Burns hopes to extend his successful association with the opening two-year-old race of the season.

Burns has had a runner in the first two-year-old event during four of the past five years, with his debutantes victorious on three occasions.

Got Equity started the ball rolling in 2021 when triumphant in Maryborough before Hesitate followed suit with his win in Melton in 2024.

Maxo Mighty, which is in New South Wales searching for a berth in the Derby, then proved too good in Maryborough last February.

“I’ve been quite successful in the first two-year-old race of the season during the past handful of years,” Burns said. “It will be great if that can continue this year.”

Burns has two chances to continue his unique niche in Maryborough on Wednesday, including Maxo Mighty’s half-sister, Alwaysthe Princess.

To be driven by Chris Alford, the filly has drawn the inside of the second row.

“I quite like her,” Burns said. “She goes along really well.

“It’s hard to say anything about the draw, as given they are all having their first start, I’ve got no idea how well the one drawn in front of her will come out of the gate.”

Burns has elected to drive Themidnightexpress, which will begin from barrier two.

By former speedster Ride High, Themidnightexpress hails from the same family as Alwaysthe Princess.

“You could say he is her nephew,” Burns explained. “Just like her, he goes along very nicely.

“They are both quite forward and I like both of them. They have had several trials against older horses, where they’ve done well and I’m expecting both to run really good races.

“Anything can happen in the first two-year-old of the year, but I believe they can play strong roles in the finish.

“For now, the first thing is to get around and do everything right, then the result will take care of itself.”