TRAINER SETS SIGHTS ON HOMETOWN STAKES
GOLD Coast’s Bruce Hill will fly the local flag in the Holindale Stakes on Saturday, but bigger question marks surround Queensland’s drought in the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
Entries close for the Brisbane winter carnival Group 1 races this morning, while nominations for Saturday’s Group Two Hollindale Cup closed yesterday, with Hill putting up Man Of His Word as one of only two Queensland gallopers in the race.
Man Of His Word is unplaced from three Listed races this preparation, with his last win coming in the Brisbane Handicap (1600m) in December, 2016.
However the state’s chances of ending a 35-year drought in the Doomben Cup seem remote as two of the state’s best distance horses, Rudy and Honey Toast, were missing from the nominations. A Queenslandtrained horse hasn’t won the Doomben Cup since Deagon trained Lord Seaman took it in 1983. Toowoomba’s Michael Nolan has nominated Jumbo Prince.
Trainer Helen Page recently retired million dollar earner Rudy, who ran third in the Doomben Cup last year, but he has been featured in some betting markets.
“The horse is sound but the owners decided it was time to retire him. Rudy has been terrific for us and it is time to reflect on his achievements,” Page said.