Virginian on track for Stradbroke tilt
STRADBROKE chances were whittled down to 27 at yesterday’s first acceptance stage, with last year’s placegetter The Virginian rated the best local hope again.
Trainer Tony Edmonds has decided to run The Virginian in Saturday’s Group 2 Moreton Cup at Doomben to maximise his chances of making the field and laying the platform for what he thinks is the best preparation for the four-year-old.
The Virginian, a brilliant first-up winner at Doomben, is just outside the Stradbroke cutoff at 18th in the order of entry.
Even though there could be an attrition above him, Edmonds wants to win the Moreton Cup – a race that offers automatic Stradbroke entry – to erase any doubts about making the field.
“He’s right on the edge, so it’s pretty important he runs and runs well to get into it,” he said.
Originally, Edmonds said he was happy to go to the Stradbroke second-up but has since decided another run was the better approach.
“It’s very difficult to go into a Stradbroke second-up,” he said. “I think the seven-day back-up will be ideal. I don’t mind geldings on a seven-day back-up. He won’t have to do any work. He will be rock hard fit by then. He will just have to tick over, get there safe and sound and run well.”
The Virginian is one of just four locally trained runners left among 27 first acceptors for the Stradbroke.
Stablemate Sylpheed (27th) joins Hopfgarten (11th) and Too Good To Refuse (22nd) as those left to fly the Queensland flag.
Pre-post punters were left aghast when it was noted JJ Atkins hotpot Melody Belle was not among first acceptors yesterday. Speculation mounted as to whether the filly had gone amiss but it soon emerged Te Akau Racing had overlooked the deadline.
Stablemates Shocking Luck (Derby) and Splurge (Stradbroke) were also omitted.
Te Akau released a statement saying the omissions came as a result of a “communication misunderstanding” around the deadline, but indicated both Melody Belle and Shocking Luck were defiMAREEBA’S nite runners next week, assuming they are fit and well.
“While we are very disappointed, Te Akau accepts full responsibility and has rectified the matter accordingly,” Te Akau stated.
Late entry fees of $18,000 will need to be paid for Melody Belle and Shocking Luck, while it would cost $45,000 to supplement Splurge, who is an acceptor for Saturday’s Moreton Cup. Melody Belle went back into UBET’s market at $2.40 yesterday.