Champion trainer Anthony Nunes has confirmed that his champion two-year-old of last year Golden Wattle will be off to the breeding shed by the start of the next racing year.

Nunes made this comment after the filly won her first race as a three-year-old on Sunday, October 16, 2022.

“The plan for the chestnut filly remains the same as she will be heading to the breeding shed in 2023.

“She [Golden Wattle] has had some issues with injuries and with the Classic season [things] didn’t go as expected — but that’s how horse racing is. We are going to race her up to the end of the year and then we are going to breed her next year,” Nunes said.

Golden Wattle was able to win her first race for the season in a Restricted Stakes event for imported three-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred three and four-year-olds (non-winners of four) over the five-straight (1,000m) course.

Ridden by regular partner Tevin Foster, Golden Wattle showed good speed at the off along with Awesome Rich (Roger Hewitt), Buzz City Light (Omar Walker) and Bugatti (Samantha Fletcher). She maintained her gallop well until passing the dummy rails and then on the main track Power (Dane Dawkins) came through for the lead with Golden Wattle working hard on the outside.

Golden Wattle proved the stronger of the two and got up in time for the victory, winning by three quarters of a length at the wire. A Gift From Ben (Jordan Barrett) finished in third place as the final time was recorded at a quick 58.2 seconds.

Golden Wattle is a three-year-old chestnut filly bred by Lion Tamer out of the Seeking The Glory mare Golden Glory.

“It is nice to get a win for the owners and for Golden Wattle, and hopefully she has one more in her. Hopefully, she’ll be a nice and productive mommy,” Nunes said.

— Hurbun Williams