Backmarkers track would suit Shogun
KELLY Schweida would like to see a few horses from back in the field win early on the card to boost his confidence about talented four-year-old Shogun Sun at Doomben today.
Last week’s Doomben surface seemingly favoured leaders until hot early speeds enabled backmarkers to win the final two events.
Shogun Sun has been well backed to win the QRIC Plate (Race 9) and is challenging the in-form Natch for favouritism. Chris Waller’s resuming galloper Fortensky (three from four first up) sets the event up as a good betting affair.
Stakes placed last season, Shogun Sun was a big winner two starts back before failing under 59.5kg last time.
“We’ve given him a nice little freshen-up since the last run, taking him to the beach and putting him over a few jumps. He’s going really well,” Schweida said.
“I think you just have to completely forgive the last start. He was wide under the big weight and the track was a bit gluey by that stage.
“The big fear for me is the favourite (Natch) getting it easy up front. I wouldn’t want to see a leaders’ track.
“But if there’s some other speed and the track is right, my horse is really well in here dropping 5kg on his last run.”
Schweida needs a ‘run-on’ track for all three Doomben runners.
Former Singapore galloper Magstock caught the eye in two winter carnival black type runs and looks well placed in the Eureka Stud Handicap (1630m).
“He’s eight weeks between runs and I think that will suit him at a mile,” Schweida said. “He just got run off his legs in the shorter races. I was hoping he could draw inside, just to help a bit more, but hopefully he will be in front of a few and a bit closer here.
“I thought his two runs were good. He was getting a lot of kickback in his face. He’s not a bad horse this bloke.”
Schweida was also taken by the last start effort of La Vida Loca (Race 2) but is lamenting another wide draw for her.
“She ran very well last time and I think back to 1110m is her go,” he said. “But drawing out over the short course at Doomben makes it very hard. She’s going to need a bit of luck.”