The Chris Waller trained Richard Of Yorke heads into the Listed $150,000 Queensland Cup (3200m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday with some good two mile form to his credit.
Richard Of Yorke, above, has experience racing over the two miles heading into the of the Queensland Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.
Richard Of Yorke led for the majority of the way before getting run down close to the post when half a length second to Plot Twist in the $100,000 Stayers Cup over 3200m at Randwick on June 10 two starts back.
“He just got beaten narrowly in a two mile race in Sydney a couple of starts back,” Waller said.
“The two miles won’t be a problem. Obviously a slightly awkward draw but is two laps and it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“A good jockey aboard, ready to race well.”
Richard Of Yorke will be ridden by Larry Cassidy and has drawn barrier eleven in the Queensland Cup field that has been reduced to fifteen runners following the scratching of War Baby who ran twelfth to Supply And Demand in Thursday’s Listed $160,000 McKimms Real Estate Grafton Cup (2350m).
Following his second in the Stayers Cup, Richard Of Yorke adopted the same front running tactics in a 2400m BenchMark 85 Handicap at Randwick on June 24 but jockey Brenton Avdulla eased the gelding out of the race down the straight after he thought something was amiss.
It was subsequently found that Richard Of Yorke had some mucos on his lungs and was ordered to trial to the stewards’ satisfaction before racing again.
Richard Of Yorke responded quickly to treatment and was passed fit to start again following a fourth in a 1030m barrier trial at Rosehill on July 4.
Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Queensland Cup has Richard Of Yorke as the $3.90 favourite and Waller will also saddle up the $5 third pick Soviet Courage with My Diamantine sandwiched into between the Waller pair at $4.20.
Soviet Courage has also had the experience of running over the 3200m for a fifth in the Stayers Cup followed by a fourth in the Listed $125,000 AATC Winter Cup over 2400m at Rosehill on aa fortnight ago.
Soviet Courage has drawn nicely at barrier three in the Queensland Cup with Doomben 10,000 winning jockey Jim Byrne in the saddle.
“Good draw, I don’t the distance will be a problem at all,” Waller said.
“Any surface he seems to handle. A fit horse, racing pretty well.”
Second favourite My Diamantine is nearing a win and heads into the Queensland Cup on the back of a last start second to Supply And Demand in the Listed $175,000 The Pump House Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast two weeks ago.
