Pole’s raging chance in qualifier
@seanteuma
RACING:
A strong local contingent will look to secure spots in the $300k QTIS Jewel on the Gold Coast when racing returns to Clifford Park today.
Toowoomba plays host to the $35k Neil Mansell Transport QTIS Jewel Qualifier (1000m) for three year olds.
Heading up the list is topweight Raging Pole for the Tony and Maddysen Sears training partnership.
After running last behind superstar Alligator Blood in town in December, the gelding has bounced back with a win in Saturday metropolitan grade at the Gold Coast, and a laststart third at Eagle Farm.
“Since his last start he’s spent a bit of time at Washpool Lodge on the water-walker,” co-trainer Tony Sears said.
“He’s been back in the stable for a few weeks. Maddy and I are pretty happy with how he’s going.
“He’s a pretty promising horse so we’re expecting him to race well. This will be his lead up into the Jewel.
“We’ll leave it up to Jimmy
Orman to make his mind up on where he needs to be in the run. He’s rode him a few times.”
Team Sears will also saddle up Magic Trick in the event, who gets in well at the weights at the minimum of 54kg.
The gelding was a luckless fifth at his last outing at big odds, and Tony said he can bounce back from that performance.
“He should’ve run second behind Exondabeach. He got into a lot of trouble that day,” he said.
“He’ll run well today and is probably better suited at the distance (than Raging Pole).
“There’s not a lot between the two. They’ve been coming up against the same type of horses and carry the same type of form.”
Among the talented locals to take part in today’s program is the Steven Tregea-trained Prioritise, who will line up in the Barrier Reef Pools Open Handicap (1300m).
A veteran winner of 10 races throughout his career, the sixyear-old has been hit with the 59kg impost, when he returns to race at his home track for the first time since July 2018.
While failing to run a place at nine starts over the distance, Prioritise has won both starts at Clifford Park.
Track specialist Clockwise returns home in the same event for Tony Webb.
The Magic Millions Country Cup winner has three wins and three placings from six starts at the track, including a victory at his only outing over the 1300m at Clifford Park.
The first race of the eightrace card commences at 1.55pm, with full form appearing on pages 32 and 33.