Greece lightning: Efharisto poised to storm home again after stunning return

Having put the domestic scene on notice with a brilliant return win, an untapped Godolphin filly is out to rubber-stamp that potential at Thursday’s Gosford meeting.

Efharisto hadn’t raced since beating all but the winner on debut as a two-year-old in the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle in mid-November 2023.

All eyes will be on Efharisto at Gosford after a stunning return.Credit: Fairfax

But she was found to have bled from both nostrils, enforcing an automatic ban followed by other setbacks.

After a very long and frustrating stint in the paddock, Efharisto got back on track with a steady trial in January.

She was spelled for a further 16 weeks before two improving trials on both synthetic and turf from late autumn.

Finally, late last month, after more than 80 weeks away, the daughter of fashionable Irish sprint sire Blue Point stepped up in a Maiden at Hawkesbury, and the market took very few chances, firming her from $2.05 into a hot $1.80.

Despite an awkward jump and some early buffeting; Efharisto settled down in the second half before cutting loose over the final 300m with a barnstorming finish to win by more than two lengths, giving the impression she could have won by much further.

It was the sort of eye-catching return that has Godolphin eyeing off some early spring targets if that ability, together with natural improvement, holds together.

She lines up in a Benchmark 64 Hcp for the fillies and mares over 1100m at Gosford from a draw where she can obtain cover back in the field, with Rachel King keeping the ride.

Efharisto opened favourite around $2.70 in early betting ahead of progressive three-year-old Burj ($5.50) who is second-up off a 22-week break.

Loading

Out of a moderately performed Redoute’s Choice mare, Efharisto simply means “thank you” in Greek, a somewhat fitting tag if the filly carves her way through the grades, and into a feature Saturday race.

And she is part of a two-prong Godolphin bid, with promising two-year-old filly Profile debuting in a Maiden Plate over 1100m earlier in the meeting.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading