Quality filly ready to bounce back to best

RACING below expectations a fortnight ago, star filly Sparkling Sea is expected to return to her best at Club Menangle tonight.

A raging $1.15 favourite in the Group Two Bathurst Gold Bracelet Final on March 28, Sparkling Sea finished an inglorious sixth – beaten seven-and-a-half metres.

It’s the first time in nine starts the David Hewitt-trained daughter of Lather Up has missed the placings.

Sparkling Sea boasts seven wins – including the Group One New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge Final – and a second.

“There is a question mark over her run in Bathurst, but in the end, it just wasn’t her night,” Hewitt said. “All I can do at this stage is put it down to an anomaly as she has been working great since and feels terrific.

“We’ll just have to remain positive moving forward and hope she brings her best on the weekend.”

To be driven by Hewitt, Sparkling Sea has drawn to settle in a forward position from barrier two in the Golden Easter Egg.

“It’s a good draw and I will try to make the most of it,” Hewitt said. “It is not a case of do or die if she leads as it is only a small field.

“Those first couple of hundred metres are not the end of the race, they’re the start of it.”

Predicting an early speed battle to take place, Hewitt cites Fake Friends as the “most likely” quickest beginner.

Making her debut to prominent trainer Jason Grimson on March 24, Fake Friends led throughout in a slick 1:51.9 from barrier seven.

“I’m tipping there will be plenty of speed on early,” Hewitt said. “Fake Friends is the one most likely to come out at full stride.

“We’ll come out and have a look and see how things go from there.”

Along with the lion’s share of the $30,600 stake, the winner receives a ‘golden ticket’ into the New South Wales Oaks at Club Menangle on May 2.

Heats for the $200,000 Blue Riband are scheduled for ANZAC Day.

The New South Wales edition is Australia’s second oldest Oaks, having been introduced to the racing calendar in 1956 when captured by the immortal Argent.

Victoria launched its Oaks in 1952 by conducting two divisions, which were won by Scottish Pride and Opal Raider.

“This weekend is a good build up for the Oaks,” Hewitt said. “It would be great if she can get an automatic entry into the Oaks.

“If she doesn’t, she will then go around in the heats in a fortnight.

“We’re definitely aiming her at the Oaks, but which route she takes to it will be decided on Saturday night.”