Kiwi invasion in Queensland
New Zealand-trained horses are set to continue their strong presence during the Brisbane winter carnival on Saturday.
Last year the Kiwis were major players and they have a strong hand on Saturday when the carnival moves to Eagle Farm.
Leading the way will be Start Wondering in the Group I Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m).
It will be Start Wondering’s second Brisbane start after his sixth in the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) two weeks ago, a run which left his co-trainer Evan Rayner happy enough.
‘‘He didn’t quicken in the ground and he was too close in the run.
‘‘If he runs well on Saturday we will push on to the Stradbroke Handicap but not if he gets a ridiculous weight,’’ Rayner said.
Start Wondering, who won three races for premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller in 2015-16, was returned to New Zealand after suffering a bleeding attack.
His original trainer Paul Belsham retired and the horse was given to Rayner and his daughter and training partner JJ who have won three races, with the six-yearold son of Eighth Wonder, including Group I races the Railway Stakes and NRM Sprint.
‘‘It will be interesting to see how he goes against the best sprinters as sometimes our sprinters don’t measure up,’’ Rayner said.
Start Wondering, to be ridden by regular Johnathan Parkes, is a $23 chance in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
Opie Bosson has retained the ride on the Waller-trained Counterattack ($7).
The pair ran second, half a length behind Redzel, in the Doomben 10,000.
Black Heart Bart, trained by Darren Weir, is a $3.30 favourite for the Kingsford Smith.
The Kiwis also have a strong hand in the Premier’s Cup (2200m) with 2016 Brisbane Cup winner Benzini ($14), trained by Adrian and Harry Bull, and the Stephen Marsh-trained Chocante ($6), who finished third in the recent Chairman’s Handicap (2000m).
The Kiwi training partnership of Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs will start the unbeaten Qiji Phoenix in the Group II BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Here He Comes in the Grand Prix Stakes.
‘‘This is Qiji Phoenix’s toughest test but he has won three from three and shows promise,’’ Logan said. Qiji Phoenix is a $6.50 chance with fellow Kiwi and Karaka Million winner Melody Belle a $4.40 favourite.
Here He Comes is a $31 chance in the Grand Prix. Fellow Kiwi Shocking Luck is a $3 favourite (see story below).
Logan expects Here He Comes to improve on his sixth in the Rough Habit Plate (May 13).
He is preparing for the Group I Queensland Derby (June 10).