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Trainer Nick Walsh is hopeful consistent sprinter Aleysa’s Dream can thwart the comebacks of highly credentialled mares Better Reflection and Lepreezy when the trio clash at Rockhampton on Tuesday.
Aleysa's Dream – a Bobby El-Issa mount – goes into her clash against the former star two-year-olds with a fitness advantage having had five runs this campaign for two wins and three seconds.
The three-year-old daughter of Carrara tried valiantly to lead all the way last start when pipped on the post by the Jack Duncan-trained Goldsborough in a 1000-metre Benchmark 70 race at the Sunshine Coast on April 30.
His biggest fear with Aleysa's Dream is the big step up to Open company for the first time.
"On her last run she'll be very hard to beat but she's a three-year-old stepping up to Open company for the first time," Nick Walsh said.
"It's always hard for a filly against bigger and stronger opposition but she's very classy."
Aleysa's Dream underlined her potential when Walsh took her to the Sunshine Coast for her first run this campaign back in January.
"She finished second that day behind Simply Fly and was only beaten half a length and he went on to win the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast," Walsh said.
"This is a tough race in Open company and I could have probably taken her to Brisbane to find an easier race.
"If she can win, she'll probably head back to Brisbane and run in a Benchmark race the same day as I'm running Bollente in the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm at the end of the month."
Walsh has only been training for 16 months but is making his mark among the central Queensland training ranks with an excellent strike rate of 25 wins and 32 placings from 106 starters.
He combines training with a full-time job as a salesman for Greensteel - a steel distribution company in Rockhampton.
The rookie trainer rates Lepreezy as Aleysa's Dream's main threat along with topweight Gypsy Toff, who is also resuming.
Lepreezy has won nine of her 17 starts and has been beaten only once in five starts first-up.
The four-year-old hasn't raced since finishing second to the Mick Bannon-trained Such A Whit at Mackay on March 30, while Better Reflection last appeared when second to Bold Style at Rockhampton in December.
Gypsy Toff has won three of her six starts when resuming but hasn't raced since finishing last of six behind Unguarded at the Sunshine Coast in mid-January.
"I think Lepreezy is a real class filly and Better Reflection needs to step up to the plate again," Walsh said.
"The other danger is Gypsy Toff who beat Better Reflection in a barrier trial here recently."
