Trainer Toby Edmonds fancies the chances of Monaco Doll in the 2015 Queensland Cup, but he admits that he is unhappy with the extra four kilograms that has been allocated to the promising stayer.
Monaco Doll will step-up to 3200 metres for the first time in her racing career in the 2015 Queensland Cup. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Monaco Doll was originally allocated 54 kilograms by Racing Queensland handicappers earlier in the week, but officials were forced to increase the weights by four kilograms following the withdrawal of Escado – meaning that the entire Queensland Cup field will now carry 58 kilograms.
The High Chaparral mare carried 60 and a half kilograms when she finished third in a benchmark 60 event at Wyong under old trainer Kris Lees, but Edmonds told Racing Queensland that he is worried about how the five-year-old will handle the big weight in the Queensland Cup.
“She will stay all day but it’s a real shame the weights have gone up four kilos,” Edmonds said.
“I thought she was a good thing if the weights had stayed the same.
“She’s now got 58 kilos which is a big weight for her.
“I know some horses carry weight but some don’t.”
Monaco Doll failed to fire in her racing debut for Edmonds at Ipswich on March 18, but she produced an improved performance when she stepped up to 1800 metres at the Sunshine Coast on April 5 and she took out the Coca Cola Life Handicap (2220m) at Doomben on April 18.
Her next two starts were not as impressive, but she was far from disgraced when she made her debut at Group level over 2400 metres with a fifth place finish behind Escado in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) at the Gold Coast on June 20 and Edmonds is confident that the tough mare will relish the step-up to 3200 metres in the Queensland Cup.
“The day she won at Doomben was real impressive and I spoke with her rider that day (Jeff Lloyd) about her going on to the Queensland Cup,” Edmonds said.
“It was a great run (in the Tatt’s Cup) and she went to the line strongly.
“She got in an awkward position coming to the turn and ended up being pushed back a couple of pairs and got too far back.
“She’s got the pedigree to run two miles being by High Chaparral.”
Monaco Doll is currently available at 2015 Queensland Cup odds of $7 and is on the sixth line of betting behind Major Major ($3.40), Lovethebeaches ($4.80), Husson Choice ($5.50), Pop ‘N’ Scotch ($6) and Mister Impatience ($6.50).
