3 minute read

Ventura and Loveisili enjoying life in Queensland

AUSTRALIAN Bloodstock's winning run can continue at Eagle Farm on Saturday with comeback galloper Loveisili and promising import Ventura Ocean, who is tipped to be a stakes horse later in the year.

That's the opinion of Australian Bloodstock's Luke Murrell, who was still enjoying the spoils of Mugatoo's All Star Mile victory this week.

"Ventura Ocean was bought for the Provincial Championships, but the rules changed and we had to change direction with him," Murrell said.

"He's a really nice horse. He's at least a Group horse in the making. He would be a summer series Group horse up there (in Queensland) we think.

"In this first prep we are going softly, softly, but I'm sure later on he will measure up to better races."

Murrell confirmed "the firmer the better" for Ventura Ocean, who was scratched from the Heavy track at the Gold Coast last Saturday to run in Race 8 at Eagle Farm, the Class 6 Plate over 1400m.

Rain is predicted for Eagle Farm on race day, but even when deluges have hit on raceday in the past, the track has remained on reasonably firm footing.

Murrell predicted Ventura Ocean may go back from his wide alley this week, as opposed to his first up win in Australia where he box seated.

He gave Wren's Day, another Australian Bloodstock purchase, 3kg first up at Eagle Farm and beat him, with Murrell declaring he regards Ventura Ocean as the superior galloper.

Loveisili has had three runs back from an injury enforced break and looked close to another win when fighting on for second over 1800m at Eagle Farm last time out.

He steps out to 2206m in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (Race 6) on Saturday, a trip Murrell believes will suit him perfectly.

"He is unbeaten in Australia at 2100m plus," he said.

"Kris has done an amazing job to get him back. He was a stakes race before his injury and these next two runs will tell us if he gets back to that."

Australian Bloodstock have been enjoying a successful time with their runners in south-east Queensland, where Kris Lees uses his Gold Coast base and more recently, Cody Morgan has used Barry Lockwood's stables at Eagle Farm.

"It gives horses a second lease of life (going to Queensland). We plan to have more runners up there to be honest," Murrell said.

"Whenever owners are winning a race or picking up a cheque, that's what it's all about.

"There's plenty of owners we have up there in Queensland. It's certainly a good outlet for us and both the trainers have a system set up that works."