Wake-up call required
Here He Comes is in for a couple of ‘‘wake-ups’’ to get him back on track for the Gr.1 Queensland Derby on June 10.
The Ruakaka three-year-old, who races in New Zealand as Comin’through, made his Australian debut at Doomben last Saturday and finished sixth behind fellow Kiwi galloper Shocking Luck in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m).
Being beaten almost seven lengths wasn’t a bad first-up run, especially after covering a lot of extra ground and both co-trainer Donna Logan and jockey Leith Innes are adamant he should have finished a lot closer had he concentrated.
‘‘Leith came in and said he wasn’t switched on at all,’’ Logan said.
‘‘He said he was too busy looking around him rather than racing properly. Leith said he was only doing half-pace down the straight.
‘‘He’s a really dumb horse and has been a slow learner. Maybe putting some spurs on will wake him up.
‘‘I’m also considering putting him over some pony jumps at Eagle Farm later this week. That should wake him up a bit more.’’
Despite finishing unplaced, Innes remains a big fan of Here He Comes, according to Logan.
‘‘Leith really likes him,’’ she said. ‘‘He was really upbeat after the race. He says he’s got it and he’s just got to do things right.’’
Innes has been Here He Come’s regular rider and has been aboard in each of his three wins.
The Bullbars gelding’s final lead-up to the Queensland trip was a seventh behind stablemate Tavidream in the Gr.2 Championship Stakes at Ellerslie last month.
Logan reports Here He Comes came through last Saturday’s race in good order and will start next in the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm on May 27.
‘‘That way he’ll at least have had a run on the Eagle Farm track before the Derby,’’ Logan said.
Meanwhile Logan’s confidence in the Queensland prospects of her unbeaten twoyear-old Qiji Phoenix has been boosted by Innes.
Innes has ridden Qiji Phoenix in each of his three wins, culminating with success in last month’s Listed Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie, and will be aboard during his Queensland group assignments on May 27 and June 10.