Belle Of The Turf Stakes 2014 – Strong entries for Gosford features

Kristen Buchanan’s first Saturday metropolitan winner could herald the emerging trainer’s first stakes win with Two Blue among the entries for the Group Three Belle Of The Turf Stakes at Gosford.

Two Blue went to Rosehill on Saturday with three city seconds from her previous three starts but wasn’t to be denied after leading all the way to win a 1500m benchmark 80.

Two Blue
Two Blue

Buchanan, who keeps between 10 and 12 horses in work at Wyong, will monitor the mare over the next couple of days before committing her to a start at nearby Gosford on Friday.

The Belle Of The Turf (1600m) attracted 15 entries with 2012 runner-up Babel (90) the highest rated ahead of last year’s winner Cathay Lady and Madam Nash (89).

“I’ll just wait and see how she is,” Buchanan said.

“She earned a reputation as a wet tracker but she is racing so well on these firm tracks she has earned a chance at a race like this.”

Madam Nash will be joined by her Chris Waller-trained stablemate Acapela who beat fellow Belle of the Turf entries Myamira and La Pieta at Randwick on Boxing Day.

“Brenton Avdulla has a good association with Acapela and he will stick with her in the Belle Of The Turf and Glyn Schofield is booked for Madam Nash,” Waller said.

Avdulla has ridden the former New Zealand mare five times including her two Australian wins.

There were 12 entries taken on Monday for the Listed Gosford Gold cup (2100m) and 13 for the other feature on the program, the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m).

Waller will have Brigantin and I’m Imposing in the Cup. Hugh Bowman will be aboard Brigantin while Blake Shinn retains his association with I’m Imposing, winner of the Summer Cup (2000m) on Boxing Day.

The Gerald Ryan-trained Martinvast is also among the Cup entries with the trainer to make a decision on Wednesday whether he runs.

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