By Tony Megahey
Goulburn’s Danielle Seib has provided a compelling lead as she strives to build on her imposing TAB Highway record with rising stablemates at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Danielle had dual acceptors Due Calzini ($4.40 favourite on TAB) and Ghost Walker ($14) also in at Goulburn’s Thursday TAB meeting in a winnable race, but scratched them from a Heavy 8 for a tougher assignment in town.
At present Rosehill Gardens is a Soft 5 but is taking on plenty rain.
Both of Seib's maiden winners are jumping grades to a Class 2 at 1500m and conceding experience to proven series rivals.
Due Calzini is the big watch. The D’argento three-year-old is contesting favouritism after striking interference in a recent Highway and rated highly enough to compete in a Listed 2YO race in Brisbane last prep.
Due Calzini has 54kg and barrier 11 for Chad Schofield and is primed by two trials and a Highway last month when backed.
While Ghost Walker 55kg (13) is re-uniting with Melbourne-based Winona Costin who has ridden the gelding for a home track placing.
Danielle has won eight Highway episodes in recent highly productive seasons, and the positives are Due Calzini’s upside, fitter for recent trials and racing.
While Ghost Walker was an impressive Wagga Wagga maiden winner, significantly at a red hot $1.30, suggesting any amount of potential.
The three-year-old Due Calzini was a firmer from $10 to $8 in a Highway last month resuming off successive barrier trials.
He was hampered and never fully clear from near last at 1400m to be beaten over fourth lengths and it suggests he’ll appreciate Saturday’s 1500m, with his home track maiden win was at that distance range.
So was the Listed-Phoenix in June at Eagle Farm where he closed strongly enough beaten four lengths and in the market at $10.
“Both are really nice types - Due Calzini is travelled, was competitive in 2YO Listed, so more advanced in his race craft and has come back super this prep,” Danielle offered.
“And it’s documented he struck interference last start as we had to go back from a really wide draw and he was never clear.”
While both are confirmed, the stable does have concerns if the track deteriorates to heavy.
“Due Calzini had shown us enough as a two-year-old for trips to Brisbane in Listed and he raced well. Out in distance will certainly suit him and he’ll handle rain-affected.
“Ghost Walker is a big strong gelding, still a on the raw side, but the ability is certainly there as he showed in a big maiden win.
“Winona is a bonus having ridden him before, and when he won at Wagga (1300m) John Van Overmeire said he’d be even better over more ground.
"He’s progressed nicely, he’ll handle soft, but I wouldn’t want it heavy.”
After ending a teaching career and taking over training in 2017 from her late father Lewis, Danielle has built a substantial and successful team with her partner Aaron Day from an accomplished harness pacing family.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here