Gongs sounds warning with winning debut

Two-year-old filly Gongs has won her first start at the Canterbury midweek meeting.

Godolphin has unveiled another promising two-year-old, with Gongs following the example of stablemate Dynamited by starting her career in style.

The filly displayed her inexperience when clattering into the running rail at the furlong but she brushed that aside and claimed a maiden (1100m) by 5-1/2 lengths at the Canterbury midweek meeting.

“You love to see a two-year-old that can begin like that and show brilliant speed after two or three strides to lead comfortably,” Godolphin’s James Cummings said.

“She was just in a different postcode. She’s an exciting filly for the team and I think we might be able to find a nice race for her next year.”

Gongs joins Dynamited – a convincing winner over 1100m at Rosehill on November 11 – as a possible Golden Slipper candidate.

Plague Stone is the next two-year-old to start up for Godolphin in Saturday’s Golden Gift at Rosehill.

Cummings said Gongs ($5.50) had clearly improved since winning his only barrier trial at Canterbury on November 3.

“There’s not doubt she’s really improved a furlong since then. She’s been able to absorb some really good, strong training,” Cummings said.

Brenton Avdulla rode Gongs in her trial and also noted her progression after leaving the chasers led by Granny Red Shoes ($8).

“I galloped her on Saturday and I thought she took the necessary improvement (from the trial),” Avdulla said.

However, Gongs was far from the finished product.

“She’s nowhere near where she’s going to be. She just wasn’t a hundred per cent sure how to come off the bridle but her best work was her last furlong.”

While Gongs made an encouraging start to her career, $1.95 favourite Rosadiblu was never realistically in the contest for Peter and Paul Snowden.

The filly finished fifth in the seven-strong field, 11 lengths adrift of the winner.

No trainer or jockey was dominant in the seven-race meeting, although Chris Waller nailed the trifecta in a maiden handicap (1250m).

Seaway, the $1.70 favourite, won at the second attempt when the three-year-old colt prevailed by a short head in a tight finish with Baleric ($6.50) and third-placed Scream Park ($4.60).