One to Watch – Gosford

A misty, rainy day at the metropolitan meeting at Gosford on Wednesday produced some interesting winners including a half-sister to a dual Group I winner that is being targeted towards the Group I ATC Australian Oaks.

Brought along steadily by her trainer Kris Lees, three year-old Mastercraftsman (IRE) filly Chilly Cha Cha is putting together a tidy record.

An easy last start winner at Wyong, Chilly Cha Cha stepped up in grade to take on older mares in a Benchmark 70 event over 1600 metres and scored a strong length and a quarter win.

It was her fourth win from seven starts and her trainer is now looking for bigger fish to fry confirming the Group I ATC Australian Oaks as the ultimate goal with a run in the Group III ATC Adrian Knox Stakes on April 7 as a likely lead up.

A $180,000 NZB Premier purchase from the draft of Jamieson Park for T Moore/ Kris Lees Racing, Chilly Cha Cha runs in the familiar colours of the Throsby family, who raced past stars such as Lovely Jubbly and Le Zagaletta and also bred world sprinter Chautauqua.

Chilly Cha Cha is a half-sister to dual Group I winner Suavito and stakes-placed Sultan of Swing and is the fourth winner for Queen Cha Cha, an unraced daughter of High Chaparral (IRE).

On pedigree there is everything to suggest a classic filly in the making.