Maxwell out to shine in home assignment
RACING: Transformed Gatton four-year-old Maxwell has the chance to add to his growing middle-distance resume when he tackles a home-track assignment at Burgess Park today.
Maxwell will chase career win number five for trainer Brenton Andrew in the Grantham Premium Farm Workers Resort Benchmark 60 Handicap.
The 2000-metre test features on today’s seven-event Lockyer Race Club card.
Maxwell came into Andrew’s yard last year after seven win-less starts and broke through with a Burgess Park Maiden Handicap victory over 1100 metres for the stable last September.
That win kick-started a climb through the grades for the Smart Missile gelding who has capped a good training performance by Andrew to win three of his last seven starts over distances from 1600 to 2000 metres.
Maxwell’s latest win came in a Bunya Park Benchmark 58 Handicap (1788m) while last time out he was beaten only three lengths behind Benico’s Prince in a Doomben Benchmark 70 Handicap over 2240 metres.
Apprentice Hannah English, who has partnered Maxwell in his three latest wins, retains the ride today with her 1.5kg allowance.
Toughest for Maxwell to beat today looks to include Poolenzo and She Salutes.
Poolenzo is having his first attempt at the 2000-metre journey for Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan after finding the line fairly last time out for a three-length fourth Hidden Budget in a Burgess Park Class 2 Handicap (1600m).
The Paul Butter worth trained She Salutes is a last start Rockhampton Benchmark 55 Handicap winner over 1800 metres.
Toowoomba seven-yearold Turkana will chase backto-back Gatton victories for trainer Ken Jones in the Lockyer Valley Regional Council Cup Day September 15 Benchmark 60 Handicap (1400m).
Turkana broke his run of outs last start with an all-theway Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m) win over Lavington Star and The Showman.