Trainer Ethan Ensby is aiming to secure multiple wins this week as his stable relocates from Casino to Lismore for Thursday’s race meeting. After scoring a double at Grafton on Monday, Ensby hopes to build on that momentum with three runners at Lismore, including Vendemmia and three others—Harmonious Stride, Gold Puma, and Whiskey Miss—all to be ridden by jockey Ben Looker, who finished third in last season’s New South Wales jockeys’ premiership.

Whiskey Miss, a Pierro mare, has shown consistent form recently, highlighted by a win over 1200 meters at Casino, with strong placings at Grafton and Murwillumbah. Ensby noted that the horse that defeated Whiskey Miss at Murwillumbah, Think Like Paddy, performed well in a subsequent race at Eagle Farm, indicating the quality of competition and supporting Whiskey Miss’s prospects. She will compete under a lightweight handicap in the Lismore Workers Club Roussillon Benchmark 66 over 1526 meters and is considered a viable winning chance.

Gold Puma, another of Ensby’s runners, has only one win in 14 starts, which came at Lismore, though she will start from a wider draw this time. Despite concerns about her typically slow starts, Ensby expressed confidence in her current condition and ability to overcome gate position by her racing style, which involves making up ground from behind the field. Foaled at Victoria’s Yulong Stud, Gold Puma descends from notable bloodlines that include Melbourne Cup winner Subzero and Golden Slipper winner Marscay.

Ensby and Looker’s partnership will also seek improvement from Harmonious Stride, who had a challenging debut over 1025 meters at Grafton. The horse experienced a slow start and was crowded throughout the race, leading to a panicked response according to Ensby. The upcoming 1300-meter race at Lismore is expected to better suit Harmonious Stride’s capabilities, and connections are hopeful for a more competitive showing.

Following a successful campaign at Grafton and a series of encouraging performances, Ensby’s stable is positioned to make a strong impression at Lismore, with a focus on leveraging jockey Ben Looker’s proven skill and the horses’ current form.