Following a false start last weekend due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the $2 million Queensland Jewel Raceday returns to Aquis Park Gold Coast this Saturday where Queensland bred horses will take centre stage.
The challenging ten-race card is highlighted by the $500,000 2YO QTIS Jewel and the $500,000 3YO QTIS Jewel.
My detailed Queensland Jewel Raceday Preview provides you with the good oil in each race plus my best bet which comes up in one of the features!
Race 1 - 3:49PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1700 METRES)
This is a wide open way to start the Gold Coast program!
Master Copy (2) has been racing well since returning to the Matt Dunn stable.
The six-year-old gelding found the line powerfully two starts ago to win by just under a length over a mile at Ipswich.
He’ll appreciate the drop in class after getting back in a stronger race last start over 1600m at Doomben and hitting the line nicely for a 1.8 length third.
Andrew Mallyon can give him a great run from the inside barrier.
1 Unit Each Way – Master Copy (2)
Race 2 - 4:24PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (2400 METRES)
Age Of Sail (4) produced two solid runs in Sydney prior to coming to Queensland last start.
As we see often, Sydney distance horses are tough to beat when they venture north and that was the case for the Kris Lees-trained son of Frankel where he powered home to win by 1.1 lengths over 2200m at Eagle Farm.
He’s at peak fitness now and won over this distance at Goodwood when fourth-up in his last preparation before coming to Australia.
It must be noted that Lees scratched two of his other horses that were in the race which shows a clear preference to Age Of Sails.
2 Units – Age Of Sail (4)
Race 3 - 5:04PM AEDT
Class 4 Plate (1200 METRES)
About To Explode (4) returns from a short let-up and looks well placed on Queensland Jewel Raceday.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Spirit Of Boom finished last preparation in cracking style with back-to-back wins.
He was particularly impressive last start over this course and distance when despite racing three-wide and back, he let down powerfully to win by just under a length.
He’ll have residual fitness on his side and the likely solid speed will aid his cause.
1 Unit Each Way – About To Explode (4)
Race 4 - 5:45PM AEDT
Class 6 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Tribeca Star (5) settled a long way back when resuming over 1200m at Doomben two starts ago but hit the line hard to finish 1.1 lengths third.
The Matt Dunn-trained Star Turn gelding enjoyed the rise to this distance second-up at Lismore when storming home to win the NRRA Country Championships Qualifier Plate.
He’ll strip fitter and is a previous third-up winner.
The speed looks willing which will likely see him settle back before charging over the top of them.
1 Unit – Tribeca Star (5)
Race 5 - 6:20PM AEDT
MILITARY ROSE (1100 METRES)
Liquor (2) returned in good order over 1200m at Ipswich last start and looks tremendous value in the Military Rose.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare took her record to eight wins from 15 starts when she went forward and found plenty to hang on for a head victory.
She’s won two of three second-up races including last preparation when winning over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
From the inside barrier, Angela Jones will drive forward and look to lead.
1 Unit Each Way – Liquor (2)
Race 6 - 6:55PM AEDT
QTIS JEWEL (2YO) (1200 METRES)
Pretty Dubious (3) gave a good sight on debut when leading over 1110m at Doomben before being run down late to finish two lengths second.
The Rob Heathcote-trained son of Dubious went one better last start when running them ragged to easily win by 1.9 lengths at Doomben.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and should enjoy the slight rise in distance to 1200m.
Vlad Duric can push forward and give them something to catch in the QTIS 2YO Jewel as our best bet in our QTIS Jewel Raceday Preview.
2 Units – Pretty Dubious (3)
Race 7 - 7:30PM AEDT
QTIS JEWEL (3YO) (1200 METRES)
Astapor (1) produced a great QTIS 3YO Jewel audition last start despite not having the greatest of luck.
The Clinton Taylor-trained Tassort colt loomed ominously in the QTIS Jewel Prelude over 1110m at Doomben but was locked away on the fence and didn’t get out until it was all over, finishing a length second.
He meets the winner 6kg better at the weights and will have come on since that run.
He boasts superior form so I’m happy to support him even with the wide barrier, which may actually prove to be a positive as it will ensure he gets clear air.
1 Unit – Astapor (1)
Race 8 - 8:05PM AEDT
GOLD COAST STAKES (1800 METRES)
Political Debate (6) can bounce back after suffering genuine excuses in his past two starts.
The Chris Waller-trained son of So You Think was found to be suffering from heat stress last start at Randwick and he worked too hard from the outside gate two starts back.
He was strong three starts back when leading all the way over a mile at Randwick.
He’s at peak fitness now and maps to get the run of the race.
1 Unit – Political Debate (6)
Race 9 - 8:40PM AEDT
THE GOLD JEWEL (1400 METRES)
Ready For Anything (5) has been crying out for longer and gets that here.
The Matt Dunn-trained son of Better Than Ready drew wide and settled a long way back over 1200m at Doomben last start but stormed home in the quickest final 600m and 200m splits of the race to finish 2.4 lengths sixth.
It’s been a similar scenario in all his starts this preparation so the rise to 1400m looks ideal now.
He has a terrific record over the distance and should settle a touch closer.
1 Unit – Ready For Anything (5)
Race 10 - 9:15PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Piastri (2) resumes here on the back of two jump outs.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Choisir gelding races particularly well fresh, having won first-up at Sale last preparation.
The lightly raced four-year-old has won four of nine races and looks well placed here.
Cody Collis, who claims 2kg, can drive forward from the low drawn and settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Piastri (2)