Weetwood the target
Toowoomba stable mates primed for home feature bid
Toowoomba’s Weetwood stocks have received a welcome boost with star Clifford Park stable mates Upstart Pride and Jumbo Prince set to tackle their home-town feature in two weeks’ time.
Trainer Michael Nolan yesterday confirmed Upstart Pride has come through his victory in last Saturday’s Listed Goldmarket (1200m) at the Gold Coast in good order and will now join Jumbo Prince in the Weetwood Handicap (1200m) line up at Clifford Park on April 8.
Upstart Pride is racing in career-best form with three quality victories on the board for 2017 while middle distance gelding and smart first-up performer Jumbo Prince will return from a two-month break for his second Weetwood bid.
“At this stage both Jumbo and Upstart Pride are definitely going to the Weetwood,” said Nolan who is aiming for his third success in the race after scoring with Miss Imagica in 2012 and 2013.
“Winning a Listed race last Saturday was a great effort from Upstart Pride.
“He hadn’t run for a month and there were things like the state of the track and speed in the race which were little concerns with him going into the race.
“I know he can be an “all-or-nothing” sort of horse, but he’s taken himself to a new level this time in.
“Upstart and Jumbo are two different Weetwood horses. Upstart will make his own luck on the speed and Jumbo will be giving them a long start.
“But he can reel off fast last sectionals and he deserves another chance in the race after having no luck last year.”
Nolan’s Goldmarket victory was followed up by a successful week for the trainer-breeder at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale.
Nolan purchased a half brother to Upstart Pride (Spirit Of Boom-Proud) for $86,000 while along with the co-owners of Miss Imagica
he saw her first foal sold for $100,000.
The Testa Rossa filly was purchased by Golden Slipper winning trainer Gary Portelli.