Winners galore emerge following filly’s promising debut

Some strong form to emerge out of Pin Up Sheila’s debut win has given trainer Tom Charlton encouragement as the filly looks to back it up at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Two subsequent winners have come out of the youngster’s all the way Canterbury success a month ago when she beat Celestial Charm. Charlton said she appears to have trained on well going into the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m).

“It doesn’t look like it was a bad race,” Charlton said of that Canterbury field.

“We hadn’t had much of a look at her at the trials, it was the first time we’d put a bit of pressure on her and she responded well.

“We were keen to run her again, we felt she had another race in her and more experience would do her good.”

Pin Up Sheila started a $12 chance at her debut, she wasn’t the most fancied of the stable’s three runners in the race.

Charlton sent her around at the Randwick trials on June 12 to keep her ticking over and would like to think there’s been improvement between runs.

“She’s still learning and I don’t think we’ll see the best of her until she’s three or so,” he said.

“She trialled really well the other day despite getting caught a bit deep, it was a little bit messy, but she looks to be going nicely.

“I’m looking forward to seeing if she can put two together.”

Promising three-year-old Astronomix has a second chance to start his campaign in the TAB Handicap (1100m) after a false start three weeks ago.

The gelding was scratched at the barriers and required to trial again, which he did six days later, and Charlton hopes things go more smoothly this time around.

“We had a barrier mishap, it was a windy day and there was some commotion in the gates and he took a bit of fright,” he said.

“We had to trial him again and here we are. It looks hopefully a good kick off point for him.”

He was a Kensington track winner on debut back in January and while beaten favourite when placed in two subsequent starts the trainer says he’s a horse that’s improving all the time.

“He’s definitely a bit more mature mentally, he’s a much more relaxed conveyance in everything he does and a big strong, powerful, individual,” he said.

“You’d think there’d be natural improvement to come but he seems a more rounded individual despite his problem at the gates the other day.”

Supplied by Racing NSW