Three-year-old filly Bird Whistle is set to step up to group class following an impressive win in the 1600-metre benchmark 72 at Randwick last Saturday. 
Bird Whistle ($5.50), trained at Scone by father-daughter training partners Brett and Georgie Cavanough, led throughout to win by a half-length, and the stable’s eyes are now on the Group 3 Winx Guineas over the same trip at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday week, July 4.
“She’s got a great record at the mile and the three-year-old season is nearly over so we’ll have a think about it for sure,” Brett Cavanough said. 
“She placed in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle last year so she deserves another chance before she turns four.”
Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy described the daughter of Brutal as “tough”.
“Cav’s been happy with her and I’m glad I had a sit on her the other day,” he said. 
“The way the race worked out it was pretty simple but she’s got a few quirks and having the experience on her was a plus.
“She was quick out. We got peppered the other day but this time I was able to keep her rolling just enough that they let us be and when I asked for the kick she gave me just what we needed. 
“She’s been up for a while and she’s done a really good job this prep.” 
Love is learning
Another filly heading interstate following a win at the same meeting is the Paul Messara/Leah Gavranich-trained Chains Of Love, who took out the 1200-metre Class 3, TAB Highway Handicap. 
With Aaron Bullock in the saddle, the $3 favourite settled one out and one back before going to the front on topping the Randwick rise, finishing the race off strongly to win by a length and a quarter. 
“My first impression when we went over the line is that she’s only getting better,” Bullock said. 
“What I mean by that is that she’s getting better at listening to me. 
“Early on she was a … mare that had all the potential but would fight against you. The motor has always been there and there’s nothing better than when they learn underneath you. 
“She did everything I asked today. She manoeuvred early and let rip. 
“The Arrowfield (Stud) team have been very patient and are going to reap the rewards.”
Messara said the I Am Invincible filly was “still learning” but “very progressive”. 
Chains Of Love will now head to Flemington to contest the listed Creswick Sprint Series Final (1200m) on July 4.
Around the traps
It’s not often they let one of Matt Dunn’s go around at the Gold Coast at $41, but that happened last Saturday when the Murwillumbah trainer caused a boilover with three-year-old Brutal gelding Archie Maximus in the 1400-metre benchmark 60. With Karl Zechner aboard, Archie Maximus got up by a long head.
South of the border, Saturday’s Talmoi Picnic Cup (1400m) went to More Cash ($7), trained at Inverell by Ridge Wilson and ridden by Dylan Parrott. 
Geoff O’Brien and Wayne Oakenfull shared the training honours at Talmoi with a double apiece. Zara Lewis was aboard both O’Brien’s winners while Ashley Boyd rode Oakenfull’s pair.
At Wagga on Sunday, local trainer Michael Travers led in a winning double. 
One of the more impressive winners at Wagga was three-year-old Ole Kirk gelding Fire Chat. The well backed $2.45 favourite won the 1200-metre maiden plate 4¾ lengths under Shaun Guymer for local trainer Scott Spackman. 
At Ballina the same afternoon, the feature Grafton Cup Preview (1900m) saw an impressive all-the-way 3¾-length win to the veteran Nature Boy ($9), trained at Armidale by Lea Selby and ridden by apprentice Bailie Baker. Nature Boy, a rising 10-year-old who started his career in SA with Andrew Gluyas and Leon Macdonald, has had 146 starts for 16 wins.
Coming up
This Friday sees the Showcase spotlight on Tamworth, with a $50,000 Super Maiden to be run over 1400 metres. 
At Sunday’s Dubbo meeting, the features are the $30,000 benchmark 58 Winter Country Classic Final (1300m) and a $50,000 Super Maiden (1100m). 
Sunday’s feature at Coffs Harbour is the 1500-metre Sawtell Cup.