Gosford preview: Trainer David Pfieffer is banking on two key factors to land Our Little Star in the winners circle

Trainer David Pfieffer believes Our Little Star will thrive at Gosford with a drop in distance and class, positioning her for a strong performance.

Our Little Star looks a good chance to land her second career win when she heads to Gosford. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer David Pfieffer feels an unsuitable tempo played against Our Little Star first-up but a drop in grade and distance along with an ideal draw can play right into her hands.

The four-year-old raced keenly in fourth spot before finishing a two-and-three-quarter length third behind The Unique Star in a three and four-year-old Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1100m at Warwick Farm.

“It was a good run first-up. The slow tempo probably just caused her to get up on the bridle a little bit too much midrace,” said Pfieffer.

“She still hit the line well and looks to be in for a good preparation.”

Our Little Star drops back to a Midway Class 1 Handicap over 1000m, a distance she has placed in each of her three runs over.

✨ Our Little Star breaks through for her first win for Jason Collett and @DavidPfieffer! @hawkesburyrcpic.twitter.com/3lSrun1n4L

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 12, 2025

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“Coming back to 1000m should help her settle better and Gosford usually generates a bit of tempo,” he said.

“It’s a decent drop in grade so she should be very competitive.”

In the same race, Pfieffer also saddles up Explosive Torpido.

The five-year-old mare showed she is building towards another win with a length second to Russian Zarina at Hawkesbury before a length third behind Pratt and Harlex at Wyong.

“I wanted to try and split them but it was the right race for the pair.

“The draw looks like it will be the deciding factor.

“They are in good order, they look good, will present well and hopefully fight out the finish.

“I’m hoping they can run the quinella.”

Pfieffer’s third and final runner for the day is Miss Firestar who will make her race debut in the Nova Coast Services Pty Ltd Super Maiden Handicap (1200m).

The daughter of Press Statement showed good early speed in her Warwick Farm barrier trial on April 29 to be among the leaders early before easing round the bend.

Kerrin McEvoy kept her under a hold in the straight in finishing sixth behind Columbia Blue.

“She has improved from last time in work and trialled alright the other week,” Pfieffer said.

“The 1200m will suit her better than the 790m trial. Ultimately, she will want seven furlongs down the track but this a good starting point.

💥 Explosive Torpido takes the opener at @newcastleraces_ today!@[e-mail]/zmi8UgGm9G

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 8, 2024

“I think there will be a couple of scratching from this race which will help.

“Josh Parr gets on-board and he should give her nice ride and give us some nice feedback.

“I think she could herself running into the placings.”

Pfieffer also has two runners at Randwick on Saturday with Oh Diamond Lil in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) and Whinchat in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m).

Oh Diamond Lil was impressive winning first-up at Scone at the stand-along meeting on May 17 before fading to ninth behind Thunderlips at Randwick on June 7.

“Jay (Ford) got on her for the first time last start and it didn’t look like they suited each other well but also, I may have been too easy on her after Scone,” he said.

“You are worried about the big trip up there and back plus the effort to win.

“Maybe I had he her a fraction too fresh the other week.

“I really think she can bounce back.”

Whinchat almost made it a double for Pfieffer when he was beaten a half-head by The Instructor in the Listed Luskin Star at Scone.

He then cost himself when he reared in the gates at Randwick two weeks ago when second last behind Headley Grange.

“He was sent back to the trials by the stewards where he performed satisfactorily and is back to the races this weekend.

“He will do his thing. Bounce out of the gates and go forward.”

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Scone horseman Rod Northam is looking for promising gelding Speedy Henry to make use of his nice barrier to get back to winning form.

The son of Hellbent made a winning start to his career at Dubbo last December before a spell and kicked off this campaign with a Class 1 win at home but has had mixed fortunes sin his three runs since.

Speedy Henry was making ground late when sixth in a Highway at Randwick on April 26 before a third to Tasoraay at Scone and a safely held sixth behind Hammering Away at Dubbo last time out.

“He’s still leaning and is still very green. He’s field shy and timid among horses,” said Northam.

“When horses go around him, he baulks off them and he’s been shuffled back in a couple of his races where you would think he’d hold a spot.

Speedy Henry runs away with Race 5 at Scone for @rodnortham! pic.twitter.com/7FKYiq36ur

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 14, 2025

“The key to him is getting him away and up near the speed and try to not get crowded.”

Northam is looking to jockey Reece Jones to have Speedy Henry in a forward position from barrier 4 in the Class 2 Plate (1200m) where he gets in well with 57.5kg.

“He has drawn nicely so if he can begin well and put himself somewhere handy, not cluttered up on the fence, he should be able to race really well,” he said.

Grandini was rewarded for her consistent form when she broke through for her first win at Dubbo on June 6.

The daughter of Toronado had finished in the top four in eight of her first 10 starts.

“She has been a great money-spinner for her owners,” Northam said.

“I was quite confident going into that race. I thought her first-up run was good.

“She just needed a good ride which she got from Leeshelle and they got the job done nicely.”

The four-year-old is striving to make it back-to-back wins when she contests the Class 1 Handicap (1400m).

“Hopefully she takes a bit of confidence out of that win.

“There looks to be nice pace in this race so she should be able to camp just off the speed and be strong late again.”

Northam has been pleased with the progress of Bawnaglen who will appreciate stepping up in distance in the Maiden Plate (1400m).

“If Reece can be positive and have him handy, he should be strong late,” he said.

“I think he’s looking for the 1400m and just needs a bit of an aggressive ride.”