Shogun showdown for the Gold Coast
THE strength of tomorrow’s QTIS 3YO Handicap on the Gold Coast can be gauged by a quick glance at the market for the Group 3 Ming Dynasty at Rosehill.
Addictive Nature is a clearcut favourite in Sydney, but his last-start conqueror Shogun Sun is in a battle for top billing on the Gold Coast.
Shogun Sun ($3.60) is the slightest of favourites ahead of unlucky last-start runner Whypeeo ($3.80), Italia Bella ($4.80) and impressive debut winner Basara ($8).
Trainer Kelly Schweida is still in two minds whether Shogun Sun will start tomorrow, but given the handy draw and the niggle over the amount of prizemoney in the bank, it’s a tempting option.
“This is a hot little race and the 1100m probably suits a couple of the others better than it does mine,” Schweida said.
“I want to run him in the Run To The Rose and it’s always been a question whether we have this start before then or just trial or give him a jumpout.
“I will take his bloods (today) and that might tell me whether we run. If we do, I hope he’s classy enough to run over the top of them.”
Tony Sears isn’t running away from the challenge with the outsider of the main fancied in Basara.
“If she didn’t get hemmed in, she would have won by three or four lengths on debut,” Sears said.
“I don’t know how she got out to the price she did ($20) on debut, but the win came as no surprise to me. She’d beaten a very good horse (Pardoe) in jumpouts at home.
“I think she’s a serious horse. This won’t be a walk in the park because it looks a strong race, but I have no fears about taking them on.”
Sears said even though Basara had not raced for 28 days, she had been kept up to the mark at his property, which also allowed her plenty of time to get over the debut run.
Sears holds a strong hand, with Hard Stride (Race 2) and Tycoon Ace (Race 6) heading betting in their races.