Surfin' Bird set for Golden Pendant return, eyes Melbourne spring

The primary objectives for Surfin' Bird are slated for deeper into the spring season, yet co-trainer Adrian Bott is keen to see the developing mare commence her preparation in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill.

This five-year-old mare has participated in only nine starts, achieving five victories. Her most recent racing period concluded with a triumph in the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.

Three of her wins have been achieved over distances of 1550 metres and beyond. While Bott anticipates a strong performance first-up in Saturday's 1400-metre feature, he is more excited about Surfin' Bird's prospects when she steps up in distance.

"It will be a tough race for her first-up, and she will be better suited when she gets out to the mile, but I thought she'd been trialling up well," Bott explained.

"She had a great campaign in the winter. We will probably head down to Melbourne with her after this."

Tim Clark is set to ride Surfin' Bird from barrier three. She is currently listed at $6.50 in a race where five of the nine competitors are priced at single-figure odds, with the standout runner Lazzura leading the market at $2.30.

Bott also anticipates that his stablemate New Endeavour will show improvement in the Shannon Stakes (1500m), irrespective of his result.

The gelding secured third place in the corresponding race twelve months prior but has been absent from racing since finishing behind Gringotts in The Gong (1600m) in November. Importantly, he has never recorded a win when resuming from a spell.

"He's been a while off the scene but has come back well," Bott remarked.

"He'll be better again once he gets to 2000 metres."

Regan Bayliss has been engaged to ride New Endeavour, while Dylan Gibbons will steer stablemate Sovereign Hill, who was withdrawn from a benchmark race to compete in this Group 2 event.

The Shannon Stakes contenders are part of an eight-horse team for Tulloch Lodge at Rosehill, which also includes the outsider Plagiarism in the day's principal race, the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m).

Check out the latest online bookmakers for the best odds on the Golden Pendant and other major races.