State of Wealth worthy of backing

“IF he gets a soft lead they just don’t beat him.”

That’s the word from Sunshine Coast trainer Graham Pollock in relation to the wellbacked State Of Wealth in race one at Doomben today.

State Of Wealth has been $17-$11 with Sportsbet for the benchmark 75 handicap (1050m) and Pollock is confident the enigmatic sprinter can justify the long-price move.

State Of Wealth’s first-up effort at Doomben in a benchmark 85 (1050m) last month was better than it looked when he finished fourth after being taken on in front and Pollock feels he is ready to strike today.

“He has improved from his last start and he has always been a good horse fresh and we’ve always treated him that way,” Pollock said.

“But it didn’t pan out firstup and he got taken on a bit too much in front and I actually think being an older horse he needed that first run.

“He has got the blinkers on (today) and if he gets a soft lead they just don’t beat him.”

Last Sight has also been a big firmer at Doomben today, shortening from $6-$3.80 with Sportsbet for the Class 6 Handicap (1200m).

The former Victorian galloper won a benchmark 75 (1200m) at his Queensland debut on the Gold Coast last month and the performance rated at least 8½ lengths better than any other race on the Coast program that day.

Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch said the five-yearold has improved since that Gold Coast win and he tipped him to carry on his merry way today.

“His Melbourne form was first class and he only got beaten a length at Flemington six starts back,” Hatch said.

“He gets his chance (today) weight wise and he has drawn a good alley and he couldn’t have been more impressive at the Coast.

“I feel he has improved and he has come up in the coat and done well in the stable and that Gold Coast run was his careerbest performance on figures.”

Finally, Tamworth trainer Leon Davies is upbeat Kurtley can continue his solid form at Doomben today.

The five-year-old put the writing on the wall with a close third in a benchmark 84 (1400m) at Randwick on August 22 and is one of only two front runners in the open handicap (1615m) today.

“My Quilter likes to lead and hopefully we can sit outside him or just behind him,” Davies said.

“He is dropping 2kg and it doesn’t look as strong as his Sydney race but the favourite (Lock’s Legend) will be hard to beat.”