SUNDAY: March 27, 2022: HAWKESBURY husband and wife training partners Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard are extremely grateful breeder-owner Kate Nivison didn’t part company with Oh Golly Gosh.
The lightly-raced four-year-old mare made an impressive return at Newcastle yesterday (the meeting was transferred from Wyong) to give the couple their fourth winner of the season.
And they are hoping she will continue to improve to provide them with a city success this preparation.
Ridden by Ashley Morgan, Oh Golly Gosh ($17) was last at the 800m in the Class 1 Handicap (1350m) before producing a surging finish once into the clear in the straight to win running away.
She beat Fonce Factor ($26) and leader Aspen Chase ($10) to post the second victory (she has also been placed three times) of her seven-start career.
“Kate bred Oh Golly Gosh, the first foal of her dam By Golly Molly, and tried to sell her as both a weanling and yearling,” Lucy Keegan-Attard said today.
“As she didn’t get what she felt she was worth, Kate decided not to let her go.
“We’re glad she kept Oh Golly Gosh, and gave her to us to train and race on lease.
“We are particularly appreciative of both Kate and Colleen Burke’s support, and also have several young horses in our stable, including the Star Turn filly Isla, who ran well at her first start at Hawkesbury last Thursday.”
Because of feet problems, Oh Golly Gosh didn’t begin her career until well into her three-year-old season, and ran third at $61 on debut at Wyong just over 12 months ago.
“Our farrier and staff have done a terrific job managing her,” Lucy Keegan-Attard said.
“As well as those problems, Oh Golly Gosh also has an enlarged right teat, but it hasn’t affected her galloping ability.
“She jars up on firm ground, so the rain-affected track definitely suited her yesterday.
“Oh Golly Gosh has pulled up well, and went for a swim this morning.
“We will look for another suitable race in the coming weeks, and are hopeful she will measure up to Midway company in town this time in.”
With help from Gosford trainer Angela Davies, Team Attard was able to give the mare an important jumpout at home last Wednesday week leading up to yesterday’s resumption.
“We were on our way to Gosford trials with three horses, including Oh Golly Gosh, when Angela rang to say the trials were called off because of overnight rain,” Lucy Keegan-Attard said.
“Thankfully, we were able to turn around and head back to Hawkesbury in time to give her a jumpout as she had only the one trial (over 740m at Warwick Farm on February 22) for yesterday’s race.”
Oh Golly Gosh was at surprising odds considering she beat Loch Eagle in her debut 1400m victory on her home track last October.
Lightly-raced Newcastle three-year-old Loch Eagle has created a big impression, winning both his starts at Newcastle and Warwick Farm this campaign.
. The Attards will not back up Knight, who ran seventh to Barossa Rosa in yesterday’s Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1350m), in Thursday’s Wild Card (1400m) at Newcastle in a last ditch bid to make the $500,000 Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.
“Knight has had an interrupted preparation, and is now looking for further, so we will move on,” Lucy Keegan-Attard said.
. Tomorrow’s scheduled barrier trials at Hawkesbury have been postponed until Friday.