Conquer prepares for Doomben test
RACING: The new norm of racing without owners and spectators on course for the foreseeable future will feature for the first time at a metropolitan meet at Doomben today.
While midweek meetings traditionally aren’t as well attended as their weekend counterparts, Toowoomba trainer Steve Tregea believes it will present a new feel on course with the industry trying to minimise the COVID-19 risk.
“It will feel like the barrier trials but with betting,” Tregea said.
“It’s going to be a real problem for everyone else, especially the bigger industries like racing that rely on spectators.
“This is a very challenging time.”
Tregea will bring promising three-year-old Command‘N’Conquer to Doomben, with the gelding to contest the QTIS Three Year-Old Handicap (1350m).
After winning a trial at Clifford Park, he made a winning debut to his racing career on his home course to break his maiden in impressive fashion.
Drawing the outside gate, Command‘N’Conquer was forced to sit three and four wide for the duration, before racing away from his rivals to score by almost three lengths.
Tregea said he has come on well since that outing on February 26, and hopes he can make the step up in grade.
“Everything is good with him at the moment and he’s done everything right,” he said.
“He looks like a very nice horse so it will be interesting to see how he goes today.
“You never know until you try them in this grade. This is his next step.
“He’s a big and strong type and we’re just hoping that he can match it at this level.
“He does give me the impression that he’ll handle it. He works with other horses and has been going better than them.”
Command‘N’Conquer was bred at Windmere Stud with Tregea’s dam Commanding Queen.
The gelding’s sire is Warhead, an unheralded horse that has enjoyed success as a sire.
“Even though the stallion only had a couple of starts, he was a good racehorse,” Tregea said.
“He’s not a commercial type but has had a couple of good ones already.”
The race will feature a number of local hopes looking for their share of the QTIS bonus prizemoney.
Michael Nolan, who trained QTIS 2YO Jewel winner Kisukano at the weekend, saddles up Miss Cavallo for the $35k event.
The filly wasn’t disgraced when running sixth at 100-1 in the Jewel 3YO Prelude.
Kevin Kemp has Star Centre engaged, however the filly will need to improve on a string of average runs since breaking her maiden at Ipswich.
Mishani Blossom was solidly backed first-up for trainer Mark Currie at Doomben when scoring, and will look to post backto-back wins in the same event.
# Clifford Park will host a rare Thursday meeting tomorrow, with eight races set down for the card.
As per Racing Queensland regulations, only essential personnel will be allowed on course, meaning access will not be granted to owners or the general public.