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By Ray Hickson

It was the race got away for Pretty In Pink and while the form guide has forgotten she ever ran in the Nivison last month her trainer John O’Shea definitely hasn’t.

Trainer John O'Shea (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The four-year-old was declared a non-runner in the Group 3 feature on October 26 after stewards deemed she was denied a fair start when the barrier gate rebounded in front of her on opening.

So the fact she ran fifth, beaten about two lengths, doesn’t show up in the form ahead of the Group 2 $500,000 Hyland Race Colours Hot Danish Stakes (1400m).

“I thought the other day was her race and it didn’t pan out in the early stages any good for her,’’ O’Shea said.

“Hopefully she gets out of the gates clean and ends up in the right spot and if she does that she gives herself every chance to win.

“To my eye she’s still a query beyond six furlongs but she’s very fit and looks to map well, her coat has come right so there’s all positive signs.’’

Pretty In Pink was a $5.50 chance when they jumped in the Nivison and against largely the same field on Saturday she’s $14 with TAB.

She wore blinkers for the first time in that ‘race’ and does so again at Rosehill and O’Shea said the plan will be the same in the Hot Danish as it was two weeks ago, it’s his intention to go forward out of the gates and have her in a striking position.

“When you get the opportunity to box seat you always take it and if the opportunity is there to be in the one-one we’re going to take it,’’ he said.

“Sectionally it was against her (in the Nivison) because they got out and walked and she ran home in sub 34 and got beaten a couple of lengths.’’

O’Shea warned against expecting his two-year-old Sidearm to be leading the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) based on taking it up in his only trial.

He said the colt, a $34 chance with TAB, is a much better chaser than leader and only wound up in front in the 905m hitout because he jumped well.

“A fast run 1100m at Rosehill he looks to map well, he’ll be much more effective having had the trial and a bunny to chase,’’ he said.

“He has a pedigree that says he will get much better as he gets older. He has a great attitude and that’s allowed him to get to the races in his first prep.’’

Pretty In Pink runs fifth in the Nivison on October 26 before being declared a non-runner

Consistent galloper Bergen missed a place for the first time in his six starts when he finished sixth behind Romani Girl at Randwick two weeks ago but O’Shea said there’s a case to forgive him.

Bergen sat second and the leader Mercurial Lad ran the first 500m in 30.32 (Punter's Intelligence) and that took the sting out of him, O’Shea said he boxed on well in what became a swooper’s race.

“It was more the tempo of the race. The race inverted, they went a bit too quick and it changed complexion,’’ he said.

“Later in the day it wasn’t an advantage to be on the rail so I thought he did a good job.

“He looks to map well in the first three or four, he’s third-up having had the seasoning run at 1500m. His form is good, his work is good and he’s a happy horse.’’

On Friday, Bergen was $4.80 equal favourite with TAB.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Golden Gift meeting at Rosehill