12 TOOWOOMBA HORSES TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
RACING: The spring is starting to heat up and the good horses are coming out to play.
With some big name exToowoomba gallopers set to begin their campaigns in southern states, we rank 12 of our most exciting racing prospects.
12. JE SUIS BELLE
A lightly-raced mare from the Mark Currie camp that is really starting to come of age.
Hasn’t finished further back than fourth in her 14 career runs, missing the placings just once.
She’s shown her class with back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm, and is an absolute jet over five furlongs.
11. ELOQUENTLY
Currently spelling, when Steve Tregea’s four-year-old mare returns she’ll be looking to add to her run of six-successive wins.
The most impressive thing is the horses she’s beaten in recent times, including a number of seasoned metropolitan performers.
Another progressive type that looks set for better races.
10. CHAMPAGNE AUNTY
Another rising star of Steve Tregea’s, the five-year-old has gone to the proverbial new level in recent times.
Has strung three wins together at Eagle Farm, including two nice wins over nine furlongs, and she looks a live Toowoomba Cup hope.
9. TYCOON EVIE
Rex Lipp’s mare caught the eye when stringing a hat-trick of wins together at Eagle Farm in February and April.
Was sent on a campaign towards the Oaks but struggled when getting beyond a mile.
Her form between 1200-1600 has been exceptional.
8. KISUKANO
Shot to fame during her twoyear-old season, but finished off her latest season in style for trainer Michael Nolan with a Group 3 placing and victory in the Darby McCarthy.
Is best when she’s on the speed and given time to balance up, and showed last time in that she can perform at a high level deep into her preparation.
7. NICCANOVA
Steve Tregea has a few gems in his yard, and the old boy Niccanova remains a constant.
Now an eight-year-old, the veteran galloper was a Group 2 winner in May, ahead of luckless runs in the Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap.
Possesses a devastating turn of foot.
6. SIMPLY FLY
Caught the eye with a devastating finish to claim the $500,000 3YO Jewel from a clear last in bog conditions on the Gold Coast for Rex Lipp.
Didn’t quite have the same explosive finish to end the prep, but the four-year-old will benefit from a spell, and will be hard to beat on any rain-affected surface.
5. LEGAL ESPRIT
One of the region’s up and coming three year olds, Legal Esprit has been placed to perfection to start his career.
The gelding has won five of his six starts, amassing more than $160,000 in prizemoney.
Absolutely demolished his rivals at his last start at Eagle Farm in an open 3YO event, and the on-pacer still has more maturing to do according to trainer Donald Baker.
4. NABOO ATTACK
Formerly in the care of Steve Tregea, the hulking gelding is now making waves in Hong Kong.
With a huge frame, the fiveyear-old can’t be missed on the track, and has the ability to match it.
While racing in Australia he was a winner of five from seven starts, and has gone on to win at his last two outings in Hong Kong.
3. HINGED
A seriously promising filly who has transferred from Michael Nolan to Chris Waller, she was the standout two-year-old of the season, winning five of her seven races with a further two minor placings.
Hinged caught everyone off guard on debut, winning at $17 by 3 ½ lengths at Clifford Park, and looks set to be targeted at the good fillies races over the spring.
2. SOXAGON
A gelding that was plagued by setbacks early in his career, the Mark Currie-trained galloper finally delivered on his promise last preparation.
Wins in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes and $200k The Buffering catapulted him into the Magic Millions, where he went down by a head in the $1m Cup.
Returned to the track last weekend at Doomben with the Weetwood Handicap well on his radar.
1. INCENTIVISE
The current Melbourne Cup favourite, the growth of the former Steve Tregea-trained galloper has to be seen to be believed.
He went from being beaten by 16 lengths in a Clifford Park maiden to destroying a handy field in the Group 3 Tatts Cup by 12 lengths in the space of six runs.
Tregea’s Windemere Stud retains some ownership as Peter Moody looks to deliver on his promise in Melbourne.