Doomben 10,000 winner English has joined the list of high profile sprinters to bypass a start in the Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 9.
English, above in black and red colours, will miss the Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.
Tulloch Lodge co-trainer Adrian Bott announced yesterday that English would head to the paddock for a short break before being prepared to run in the 2018 $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained English had two runs in during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival for a win in the Group 1 $700,000 Kirin Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben on May 12 followed by a fourth to Impending in the Group 1 $700,000 Altus Traffic Kingsford-Smith Cup (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday.
“She ran a good race but she’s had enough now this preparation,” Bott told AAP.
“She’s been up a while. We were hoping she still had enough left and I think she held her form from her last start but the stretch out in trip was tough.”
“The Stradbroke was an option, though it was always less likely than more likely.”
English will join Group 1 winners In Her Time and Le Romain as early withdrawals from the Stradbroke Handicap and will also spell before beginning a 2018 Spring Carnival preparation.
Galaxy winner In Her Time was beaten two and a half lengths when ninth in the Doomben 10,000 which prompted trainer Ben Smith to send the mare to the paddock with The Everest now her main priority after gaining an early slot for TAB.
“After consideration we have decided now that we are going to spell In Her Time,” Smith said on twitter.
“From here she will have four weeks and then we will get her back and get her ready for The Everest.”
“At this stage it is the best thing for the horse. Our main goal, main focus, is The Everest.”
“So with that in mind we will spell her this week and she will have four weeks and get her back for The Everest.”
“She is still in good order but we just feel that the time is right to give her a rest now and then concentrate on The Everest and look forward to it.”
In Her Time has been snapped up by TAB to fill their slot in the 2018 The Everest and Smith is excited to have locked in a slot so early which will give him plenty of time to prepare the Group 1 winning mare for the rich sprint.
Trainer Kris Lees has also sent Le Romain back to his Newcastle stables after being placed at his two runs during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival for a third in the Doomben 10,000 followed by a second in the Kingsford-Smith Cup.
Le Romain was allocated the 58kg top weight for the Stradbroke Handicap and Lees couldn’t see him winning with that impost.
“He’s come back to Newcastle in really order but he’s got 58 (kg) – which I knew he would get and he deserves it – but I think there have been three winners since 1973 that have carried 58 or more in a Stradbroke,” Lees said.
The Bjorn Baker trained Champagne Cuddles’ performance to finish third to seasoned campaigners Impending and Le Romain in the Kingsford-Smith Cup as well as the fact that she will only have to carry 50kg has seen her elevated to the top of the Stradbroke Handicap betting at $4.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
Early betting for the 2018 Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Champagne Cuddles, $5 Impending, $11 Care To Think, Invincible Gem, Perast, $15 Osburne Bulls, Santa Ana Lane, $17 Danon Liberty, Shillelagh, $19 Peaceful State, $21 Crack Me Up, Foxplay, Spieth, Voodoo Lad, $31 Volpe Veloce, $34 Lucky Hussler, $41 Super Cash, Supido, $51 Endless Drama, Handsome Thief, I’m A Rippa, Moss ‘N’ Dale, $61 or better the rest.
