BUTTONS might be headed for a bright future after winning the Keith Swan Memorial 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) on debut at Gunnedah on Monday.
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The Paul Messara-trained filly was never in doubt after jumping well and raced away to a three and a quarter length win.
Leanne Henry had a good hold over the daughter of Dane Shadow, who ran a quick 56.69secs at Riverside.
“That was a very good win on debut,” Messara said.
“We’ll see how she pulls up as to where she goes next.
“She’s physically immature and might need a break but if we can get one more out of her we will.”
He said Buttons had missed the jump at a recent trial and that had created a little concern with Messara over her timidity at the barriers.
“Once she flew the lids I knew she was right,” the Scone trainer said.
It was a day where leaders dominated the early races, with Steel Academy and Manor Girl both runaway winners before the James Thompson-trained Star Of Universe reversed that trend to win the Sutton Family 2013 Somerton Cup (2050m).
The Gulgong galloper was last at the turn but swamped his rivals to win by ona nad a quarter lengths.
It was the 12-year-old son of Sky Chase’s 18th race win at his 157th start.
Meanwhile, Glen Innes Cup winner, Seen Im, will have to carry an etxra 4.5kg if he runs in Saturday’s Elders Glen Innes Deepwater Cup (1400m).
The Sandra McCormack-trained gelding carried 54kg to win last Saturday’s 1400m Glen Innes Cup and yesterday received 58.5kg for this Saturday’s Deepwater Cup.
Ballina gelding Eastline is the Deepwater Cup topweight with 59kg but the Danny Baldwin-trained gelding might be a runner at Ballina where he is nominated for Sunday’s $55,000 Iris Nielsen Handicap (1400m).