When Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne declares a horse as the "nicest in Tony Gollan's stable", it might pay for punters to take note.
Byrne has ridden a horde of winners for Brisbane's leading trainer but has been particularly taken by sprint filly Miss Exfactor, who kicks off her three-year-old season at the Ipswich metropolitan meeting on Saturday.
Miss Exfactor has only been beaten by Magic Millions winner Houtzen – going down by four lengths on debut at Eagle Farm in March.
Then two weeks later Miss Exfactor gave Shogun Sun a galloping lesson and that now looks fabulous form considering Shogun Sun was a subsequent Randwick winner and runs in Saturday's Group I Golden Rose.
Resuming Miss Exfactor is the $1.80 favourite in the 3YO Fillies Handicap (1200m) and punters are already stepping in.
Byrne, who has ridden in her both race starts and when she romped in by 2½ lengths in a trial at Deagon earlier this month, just can't see her getting beaten.
"I can tell you this, there isn't a nicer horse in Tony Gollan's stable," Byrne said.
"The day when Houtzen beat her I was getting pretty excited because, fleetingly, I thought I was going to push her.'
"Then she came out and blitzed them the next start.
"She really is a horse who is going places.
"Tony has given her a decent spell and we couldn't be happier way she is going."
Gollan, who became a father to a baby girl on Thursday morning, has always held Miss Exfactor in the highest of esteem.
The only fly in the ointment for the filly on Saturday could be a potential speed battle with plenty of pacey horses engaged.
However Byrne says it won't worry him as he thinks his filly will simply be too good.
Watch Miss Exfactor win her recent trial at DeagonMiss Exfactor is a warm fav Ipswich Sat -start 2
— STEVE HEWLETT 🏇🎣⚓️ (@stevejoseph69) September 20, 2017
2nd to Houtzen, before beating Shogun Sun (18/3)- trialled 5/9 deagon - was tardy away-led pic.twitter.com/A3nHV1pD3C
Byrne says is also looking forward to riding the resuming Our Beebee on Saturday as he hops aboard the Red Dazzler mare for the first time.
Rex Lipp's mare won three in a row in her last campaign and is a $5.50 chance with Sportsbet for the Benchmark85 Handicap (1200m).
"From what I have seen of her in the past she has massive amounts of potential," Byrne said.
"She sprints very well fresh and I can't wait to ride her."
