THE Country Championships are firmly on the radar for News Girl after a narrow defeat at Caulfield on Saturday.
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The Geoff Duryea-trained filly was making her city debut after winning first-up at Albury earlier this month.
Starting a $14-chance, News Girl showed her customary speed to lead with jockey Patrick Moloney aboard.
The three-year-old filly looked set to score an upset victory a furlong from home before being nabbed late by the Mick Price-trained Crack The Code ($1.80-fav).
“We didn’t know what to expect being her first run in city grade,” Duryea said.
“She didn’t disappoint us and only got run down late.
“I was fairly proud of her effort and at least we now know she can be competitive at that level.
“That was only her fourth career start so you would like to think she will only improve with the experience.
“At this stage I’m keen to head back down to the city but I’ll also enter her for the Country Championships and see where we go from there.”
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Stacey Lee was plagued by knee issues throughout her career but still managed to win five of 20-starts.
Duryea said News Girl was likely to have one more start before having a freshen-up and targeting a race over the Albury carnival in March.
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