Jockey Glen Boss has questioned the form coming out of the Doomben 10,000 and believes that the race may not be the strongest form line heading into the 2014 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm next weekend.
Jockey Glen Boss has rated the form coming out of the Doomben 10,000 as inferior to recent years. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Boss partnered Rebel Dane in the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday and admitted that he was slightly disappointed with the performance of the son of California Dane in the Group 1 event, which was won by Spirit Of Boom from his half-brother Temple Of Boom, while he was thrilled with the effort of Srikandi in the Glenlogan Park Stakes.
The leading hoop said that he had decided to ride Srikandi before connections of Rebel Dane booked Tommy Berry to take the ride and told Sky Racing HQ that he believes the form coming out of the Doomben 10,000 is two or three lengths inferior to what it has been in recent years.
“To be quiet frank, Buffering is probably going about two lengths slower than his normal form and that is quite obvious; he is not at his best,” Boss said.
“I’m not knocking the Boom boys, but generally you would not say that they are Group 1 performers’ week in and week out.
“They have had perfect runs on the days and he has won his races, there is no doubt about that.
“I would look at that 10,000 race as two or three lengths inferior to most 10,000’s every year and I am thinking that form is below normal 10,000 form.
“I am going to be looking somewhere else for the Stradbroke.
“That is just my take and my personal feeling and how I see the race.”
Srikandi was not originally included in the nominations for the Stradbroke Handicap, but connections opted to pay the $23000 late entry fee after she recorded dominant wins in the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 3, the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 17 and the Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The Dubawi filly is currently 24th in the Stradbroke Handicap order of entry and is set to gain a start in the Group 1 event as Buffering, Platelet, Tiger Tees, Driefontein, Commanding Jewel, Hot Snitzel and Howmuchdoyouloveme are not expected to take their place in the field.
Srikandi is currently available at 2014 Stradbroke Handicap odds of $5.50 and is a narrow favourite from Rebel Dane ($6), Spirit Of Boom ($7), Catkins ($10) and Red Tracer ($10).
