Trainer Blake Ryan believes unraced filly Bold Alliance will benefit from a raceday experience and there’d few bigger days to get it than the first Tuesday of November at Kembla Grange.
Big Dance and Cup day is consistently one of biggest days on the calendar for the Illawarra Turf Club, with Bold Alliance ($6 on TAB) set to get the chance to get the occasion off to the perfect start for Ryan.
Bold Alliance, an unraced daughter of Bivouac, can make an early statement in the I98fm’s Feel Good Fun Maiden Plate (1000m).

Blake Ryan - trainer of first starter Bold Alliance. Image by Bradley Photographers
“It’s an open race,” Ryan said. “She is a very big filly that’s taken a bit of time and she will still take a bit longer.
“I thought she trialled OK without it being eye watering.
"She’s got a race in her, whether that’s on Tuesday over 1000m, I am not sure but with no weight on her back in a small field, it looks like the race where she can kick off and have a good experience at the races.”
Bold Alliance was snapped up for $85,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale last year and has been well prepared for her maiden test.
Ryan gave her three trials last preparation but opted against taking the filly to the races.
Bold Alliance put in a pair of improved trial efforts this preparation which gave Ryan the confidence to bring her to the races.
“I have been patient with her,” he said. “She is a spring three-year-old but a Magic Millions horse so she was in pretty early and had plenty of preps before this.
“There is the option of running her at Goulburn on Saturday if the track gets heavy.”
Bold Alliance has 3kg-claiming apprentice Emma Ly set to pilot the filly.
Only two runners in the opening event of six entries bring race experience with Apollo Ridge ($2.40 favourite) looking to snare his first victory at his seventh attempt.
The son of Lonhro has won both of his trials this preparation and links up with Grant Buckley in his return.
Home track galloper Uncle Barry ($6) has been placed in four of his eight starts as trainers Mitch Beer & George Carpenter look to continue their strong start to the season at Kembla.
Kembla trainers Kerry Parker and Theresa Bateup will give Hinzel ($8.50) and Hussy La Vista ($31) hit outs on their home turf.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here