Heys eyes fast start and finish with Ohtani and Mailata at Gosford

Warwick Farm horseman Bryce Heys has high hopes he can bookend the Gosford meeting on Tuesday when he saddles up two leading contenders in the first and last races.

Heys, whose talented Flying For Fun finished second in the group 3 Kirin Ichiban Sprint at Flemington in Melbourne Cup week, is looking to open the day at Gosford in style when Ohtani contests the Central Coast Granite Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600m) with Ashley Morgan taking the ride.

Written Tycoon gelding Mailata (second from left) will be among the favourites in the last at Gosford.Credit: Getty Images

“He’s a nice enough horse that despite only winning the once, has shown plenty of ability in his career,” Heys said of Ohtani.

“His maiden win was at Newcastle, and he was then beaten just over a length by Magnatear on the Kensington track at Randwick, and that horse is more than handy.

“He has had four runs back from a spell and his last three runs have all been sound. From the inside barrier, he should get every chance to be in the finish.”

The Heys-trained Mailata will line up in the Rock At The Races 21 March 2026 Midway Benchmark 68 Handicap (1000m) with jockey Zac Lloyd in the saddle.

“Mailata is a talented Written Tycoon gelding that has done most of his racing in city grade races,” Heys said. “He managed to win a Super Maiden on the Kensington track in January and did finish second in a Randwick event before being spelled.

“He resumed from a spell with a good fourth at Warwick Farm behind Lyles, and that horse has gone on to win a Saturday race at Eagle Farm at the weekend. The Gosford race looks a nice one for him and I expect him to run very well.”

Loading

Lloyd has three other solid rides at Gosford in addition to Mailata. He will partner Rose Water for Jason Deamer when it clashes with Ohtani.

He will also link with Annabel and Rob Archibald-prepared filly Royal Chic in the Eve Electrical Maiden Plate (1200m).

Lloyd’s remaining mount for the day is the Gregory McFarlane-trained debut winner Salma’s Star in
the Gosford RSL Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1100m).

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

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading