Trainer John O’Shea’s promising staying three year olds Unbreakable and Eschiele both need plenty of luck after drawing wide barriers in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Unbreakable, above, has drawn the outside barrier in the Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Godolphin’s number one rider James McDonald has been given the job of partnering Unbreakable who drew the outside gate in the fourteen horse field while top Brisbane jockey Damian Browne will ride Eschiele who will jump from gate twelve.
O’Shea thinks both three year olds can develop into handy stayers and said both had excuses at their latest outings.
“Unbreakable got to the front a bit soon at Caulfield last start and just got caught and Eschiele got into a lot of trouble at Doomben and lost his chance. They’ve both drawn wide unfortunately, but they’re in form and very fit,” O’Shea said.
Unbreakable was able to win an 1800m three year old Handicap at Caulfield on April 30 when setting the pace then ran third against similar class over 2000m at Caulfield on May 14.
And Eschiele was also racing well in weaker company and made it back to back wins in a 1350m Wyong BenchMark 66 Handicap on April 17 and in a 1600m Warwick Farm BenchMark 67 Handicap on May 4 before running seventh to Mackintosh in the Group 3 $125,000 Mitty’s Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 14.
Eschiele features in the stewards’ report following the running of the Rough Habit Plate and it was stated that the Medaglia D’Oro gelding was held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.
Both geldings are at double figures odds for the Grand Prix Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au listing Unbreakable as a $17 chance while Eschiele has firmed in from $26 to be currently marked at $21.
The Chris Waller trained Mackintosh heads the market order at $2.45 following his impressive two and three quarter lengths win in the Rough Habit Plate and is a clear favourite ahead of South Australian Derby winner Howard Be Thy Name at $4.60.
The Desleigh Forster trained Cylinder Beach is the best of the local three year olds and is next in the betting at $7.50.
Grand Prix Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.45 Mackintosh, $4.60 Howard Be Thy Name, $7.50 Cylinder Beach, $10 Encosta Line, $11 Eagle Way, $13 Brazen, $17 Unbreakable, $21 Multifacets, Eschiele, $26 Red Alto, Harvard, $51 I’m Belucci, $61 Last Typhoon, $91 Snapper Rocks.
