Dunn says Oaks in La Scopa’s sights
TRAINER Matt Dunn believes La Scopa has inherited her mother Amalfi Dreams’ toughness and will stand up to a Group 1 Queensland Oaks campaign.
Dunn’s frustrating run of bad barriers for his horses has continued for the Doomben meeting tomorrow with Snitz drawing barrier 12 in the 3YO Plate (1350m) and La Scopa 17 in the Group 3 Bracelet (1630m).
Dunn is keen to chase the Queensland Oaks (2200m) with La Scopa who was second to Improvise at her last start in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast.
“I am keen to train her as a stayer so we are heading to the Oaks at this stage,” the Murwillumbah-based Dunn said.
La Scopa is by Group 1 winner Show A Heart out of smart mare Amalfi Dreams.
“Amalfi Dreams was stakes-placed in Brisbane and she was one of the toughest mares I have trained. I think La Scopa is like her,” he said.
Dunn also entered Snitz for the Group 3 Gunsynd Stakes (1630m) but decided to go with the shorter race.
“Really Snitz was just so well handicapped with the Plate conditions it was silly not to run him in it,” Dunn said.
At his last start Snitz finished fifth in the NSW Country Championship Final at Randwick three weeks ago.
“Snitz drew wide and he had no luck. It has been the story with us lately that we just keep getting wide barriers,” Dunn said.
Dunn is keeping his options open with Snitz who has a good record at Doomben with the Queensland Guineas run at the track this season.
“I might even nominate him in the Stradbroke Handicap as it is 1350 metres at Doomben,” he said.
■ VICTORIAN trainer Mick Kent has been quick to harness some local knowledge for the unlucky Supido at Doomben.
Kent has booked premier Brisbane jockey Jeff Lloyd for Supido in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Doomben tomorrow.
Supido, who was bought this week by Widden Stud, earmarked himself as a future Group 1 winner when he won the Group 3 Monash Stakes at Caulfield in July.
Kent has headed to Brisbane with Supido’s targets the Victory Stakes and the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on May 12.
Supido has won seven races and ran third in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap and Group 2 Challenge Stakes.