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O’Dea-Hoysted duo set to fire on Coast.
The Steve O'Dea and Matt Hoysted team have the chance for a Gold Coast stakes double with an old stable favourite and a relative newcomer this weekend.
Scallopini has been a flagbearer for the stable over a couple of seasons now and tries to add to his tally of nine career wins when he runs in the Listed Goldmarket (1200m) first up.
Bargain buy Wonderful Riri is two from three since joining the team and she shoots for a maiden stakes success in the Listed Silk Stocking.
Hoysted said both are in great shape for their respective assignments.
Wonderful Riri found her way into the stable after owner Josh McShanag gave just $20,000 for her at an online Inglis auction last October.
"She's been a really good buy," Hoysted said.
"She had a week out at the beach on the back of that last start win at Doomben.
"She had a soft jumpout (last Tuesday) and has bounced through that really well.
"It's not a great rendition of the Silk Stockings and I think she well and truly looks right into it. She's well deserving of her chance."
The heavy rain that fell on Wednesday will not harm Wonderful Riri's chances, as she's already shown since arriving in Queensland she's very effective on rain affected ground.
Scallopini jumped out the same day as Wonderful Riri in a hot heat, where he was held together behind Jonker and finishing ahead of horses like Boomsara and Garibaldi.
Hoysted said he seems in a better place this time than he did in his winless summer campaign.
"Unfortunately (last preparation) we were having to go too far back from bad alleys and he just didn't have the same zip as he's shown in the past," Hoysted said.
"We've done things a little different, keeping him on the fresh side and it seems to have worked. It's the best he's ever worked.
"He's come up better this prep than last preparation.
"He does have a good fresh record. If he can get the right run he's definitely going to be very competitive."
Ben Thompson takes the ride on both of the O'Dea/Hoysted runners this weekend.
