No doubt about Queenslanders

THE Villiers Stakes has been a happy hunting ground for Queensland trainers in recent years, a trend Steven O’Dea is hoping to continue today.

O’Dea will saddle up Doubt Defying who will bid to become the third Queensland-trained winner of the Villiers (1600m) in the past five years, following in the hoof prints of Gold Coasttrained Rudy in 2014 and Crack Me Up 12 months ago.

“These up-and-coming horses from Queensland can definitely measure up to this sort of race so I’m pretty keen to run him,” said O’Dea (pictured).

Doubt Defying has won eight of his 18 starts and has a similar profile to both Rudy and Crack Me Up, the latter winning the Villiers Stakes at start No.20.

After resuming with a win at Randwick in October – O’Dea’s first victory in Sydney – the horse travelled to Melbourne and showed his versatility to add the Sale Cup to his tally.

He then stepped up to Group 1 level in the Mackinnon Stakes and finished sixth to Trap For Fools before having a short freshen-up at the Canungra property of owner Aquis Farm.