All Too Hard filly Waimea Bay earned black-type during the Labour Day long-weekend and that’s set up a lucrative assignment at Randwick next month.

The Kris Lees-trained filly finished third to Assimilate in the Canberra Guineas LR but would have finished closer with better luck in running and more give in the ground.  “The winner had last crack after she gave him a lovely cart into the race,” stable manager Lucas Miller said.  “She wants it softer, too.  It was a Good 4 at Canberra.

“Jason (Collett) was very happy with the run.  He said she was keen early and will finish off better when she can dig the toes in.”

Lees has set Waimea Bay for the next heat of the NSW Provincial Championships at Newcastle on Saturday, March 31.  The placegetters will qualify for the $500,000 Provincial Final (1400m) at Randwick on April 14.

Waimea Bay (3f All Too Hard – Waveline by Stravinsky) is raced by John & Cath Murray of Emmaroo Bloodstock in partnership with bloodstock agent James Bester.  She was bred and sold by Kia-Ora Stud for $200,000 at the 2016 Inglis Easter Sale.

Apart from the Canberra result, All Too Hard also sired a winning treble last weekend with Blackwolf Run, Bijou Belle and Shelley Beach.  He leads the Australian second-season table with 40 individual winners this season.

There’s more black-type ahead for Vinery sires and All Too Hard kicks off with Castleton in the Alister Clark Stakes Gr.2 at Moonee Valley on Friday night.  His dam Exquisite Art (Redoute’s Choice) won at Moonee Valley and he’s been crying out for 2040m.

All Too Soon continues her Australian Oaks Gr.1 campaign at Rosehill on Saturday.  Trainer David Payne has accepted for the Catanach’s Hcp (1900m) and she has opened up a $3.40 TAB favourite against all ages in a Benchmark 82.

The in-form Lindsay Park stable presents Cristal Eyes second-up in the TBV Stakes Gr.3 at Flemington on Saturday.  “She was excellent on debut when runner-up at Ballarat,” co-trainer Tom Dabernig said.  “She hit the line strongly and is a talented filly.  With natural improvement, she should be around the mark.”

Cristal Eyes (2f All Too Hard – Champagne Run by More Than Ready) is a three-quarter sister to All Too Hard’s Sandown Guineas Gr.2 winner Villermont.

Villermont was last seen finishing fourth in the Australian Guineas Gr.1 and is on track for The Championships.  Trainer Aaron Purcell will take him to Sydney for a 2000m assignment in the Rosehill Guineas Gr.1 on Saturday, March 24.

WAIMEA BAY