Ryan, Alexiou filly starting to fulfil Expectation

Enthusiasm for a task is usually a good quality but when it comes to racehorses, it can be detrimental.

When Deep Expectation joined the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou yard earlier this year, the filly was keen to get on with the job and her high energy was costing her at the end of her races.

“She used to be too enthusiastic and want to get it over and done with, but she is starting to relax a heap better,” Ryan said.

“Her first jump outs and trials, she was really keen and couldn’t finish off, but she has learned to come back and settle a little bit.”

After finishing fourth of five to the promising Frilled over 1000m at Kembla Grange in May, Deep Expectation showed she was learning to harness her energy when she stepped up to 1200m and posted her second career win at Gosford.

She proved that was no fluke with a last-start Warwick Farm success in midweek grade and the three-year-old will be asked to raise the bar again when she steps up to Saturday company for the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1100m) at her home track.

Ryan has also made some adjustments to her training regime after it became apparent she had a very different constitution to another daughter of Deep Field he prepared.

“It took a while to get her fit, not knowing her,” he said.

“I haven’t had many Deep Fields but the other one I had, (stakes winner) Sky Command, she is one who cops no work, and this is a filly who cops a heap of work.”

Experienced hoop Jay Ford has picked up the ride on Deep Expectation, who has drawn well in barrier three.