Sears’ pair takes next step to O’Shea Plate

Toowoomba stablemates match motors in trial run

‘‘ THEY’LL POSSIBLY BOTH GO TO THE PAT O’SHEA. THAT’S WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND AT THIS STAGE. MADDY SEARS

Photo: GLEN McCULLOUGH

RACING: A start in this month’s Toowoomba Truck Spares Pat O’Shea Plate (1000m) is on the radar of stablemates Dark Son and Spirit One after the pair trialled successfully at Clifford Park yesterday.

The $68,000 Pat O’Shea Plate opens Queensland’s twoyear-old racing season at Clifford Park on September 28.

Yesterday’s official twoyear-old barrier trials drew just one heat which attracted only five runners.

The trial was won by Better Than Ready gelding Dark Son who edged clear on the post for jockey Emma Ljung to down Spirit One (Brooke Mackie) by 3⁄4 length in 51.83 seconds.

Neither horse was pushed out hard to the finish line.

The Tom Dougall-trained Married In Vegas (Ron Goltz) was another 21⁄2 lengths back third.

Dark Son and Spirit One are trained by the newly formed partnership of Tony Sears and his daughter Maddy.

After having their joint venture approved late last week by Racing Queensland, the new team had its first runner at Clifford Park on Saturday with Miss Beneteau who finished second in the Benchmark 62 Handicap.

Maddy said the Pat O’Shea Plate was a likely target for both horses if they continued on their current path.

“They’ll possibly both go to the Pat O’Shea. That’s what we have in mind at this stage,” Maddy Sears said.

“Both are very mature and have had no problems or shown any signs of shin soreness at this stage.

“From day one they have been the pick of ours to prepare for the early season races.

“Dark Son is a bit of a stargazer but both horses will keep getting better.”

The next Clifford Park twoyear-old trials are scheduled for next Tuesday.

■ IN ANOTHER racing first last Saturday, Toowoomba track rider Nathan Gay cracked it for a Clifford Park winner with his first runner as a trainer.

Gay joined an elite club of successful first-up trainers when Heart Attack ($10) also made a successful racing debut in the Wilsonton Meats Maiden Handicap (1100m).

CLIFFORD PARK 2-Y-O BARRIER TRIAL

Yesterday

870 metres, course proper DARK SON (br g Better Than Ready-Laura Magne) (Emma Ljung) 1;

SPIRIT ONE (br f Spirit Of Boom-Hi Ace) (Brooke Mackie) 2;

MARRIED IN VEGAS (b f Players Choice-Sweet Sweet Love) (R. Goltz) 3.

Then followed: Emcee Swag, My Boy Sooty.

Won by 3⁄4 len., 21⁄2 lens. Time: 51.83. Last 600m: 34.83.

Placegetters trained by Tony and Maddy Sears, Tony and Maddy Sears, Tom Dougall.