Weir worried over fitness of six-pack
DARREN Weir concedes race fitness is an issue with his star-studded band of Lawrence Stakes contenders, but is hopeful class will overcome conditioning question marks.
Weir has six nominations for Saturday’s 1400m Group 2 headed by Black Heart Bart, Tosen Stardom, Gailo Chop, Humidor, Storm Exhibit and Amelie’s Star.
But with Cox Plate runner-up Hartnell lurking at Caulfield, Weir is more hopeful than confident.
“I’ll probably start all of them at this stage and I’m looking forward to the day,” he said.
“Probably the sad part is that I’m not sure any of them are wound up to win.
“But they’re all really good horses and good horses can often pull out great runs.”
Hartnell returns to Melbourne for the first time since his excellent Melbourne Cup third to Almandin.
This time he will be in James Cummings’ care.
The seven-year-old will be having his first run since finishing a distant second to champion mare Winx in the $4 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 8.
The former UK galloper is a $3.50 second favourite behind Black Heart Bart ($3.40) in UBET’s all-in market for the Lawrence Stakes, but is yet to win first-up in five attempts since joining Godolphin’s Australian stable.
■ Meanwhile, former long serving Brisbane racing administrator Dr John Bell passed away early yesterday after a long illness.
Dr Bell, who would have turned 83 on Saturday, became a member of the two Brisbane metropolitan race clubs in 1961 and served on the committee of the Brisbane Turf Club for more than 20 years.
He was chairman of that club for several years in the 1990s. He was a life member of the Brisbane Racing Club.
PROBABLY THE SAD PART IS THAT I’M NOT SURE ANY OF THEM ARE WOUND UP TO WIN ... DARREN WEIR