Scone on the radar for speedy Toque

Their headline two-year-olds are in the spelling paddock, but Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott still have some arsenal to fire judging by the performance of nicely bred filly Toque at Canterbury.

The youngster showed good speed out of the gates before relaxing beautifully in the lead for Tim Clark and kicking strongly in the straight to take out Wednesday’s Robrick Lodge Handicap (1100m) by almost three lengths.

It follows her third on debut in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic in December and Bott believes the daughter of Street Boss has a bright future.

“She came through a hot form race and she is a big, raw filly. I’m sure there is so much scope for her to keep improving,” Bott said.

“She’s got a lot of upside. I think we can add some more valuable black type with her.

“She has come back a much more seasoned filly this time around.”

A $200,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions purchase, Toque is part of the Valerie syndicate which exclusively races fillies and has enjoyed black-type success with the likes of 2022 Gimcrack Stakes winner Platinum Jubilee and two-time stakes placegetter Sicilian.

Bott nominated the Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m) at Scone two weeks from Saturday as the likely target for Toque, although a trip to Queensland is also an option.

“I think a race like the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Scone could be a lovely race for her, the nice big track will suit her,” he said.

“If not there, we could look towards Queensland, but I’m sure there is more upside.”

Clark echoed Bott’s sentiments that Toque could continue to work her way through the grades and expected her to draw confidence from her first win.

“It’s a good way to start her prep,” Clark said.

“She’s had a confidence-boosting win and she can go on with it.”

The Bjorn Baker-trained Hollywood Hero is also Scone-bound after sweeping to victory in the opening race at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Aided by a brilliant ride from Tommy Berry, Hollywood Hero was last early before Berry whipped around the field prior to the corner and took him to the front in what proved a winning move.

“A race like the Scone Cup is going to be a good race for him in a couple of weeks,” Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said.

“He won’t get too much weight and then we’ll see where he goes from there, but I still think he’s another preparation away from reaching his full potential.”