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Trainer-jockey Siggy Carr knows what she’s up against when lightly raced five-year-old mare Queenborough Flyer returns to racing in Launceston on Wednesday night.
Trainer-jockey Siggy Carr knows what she's up against when lightly raced five-year-old mare Queenborough Flyer returns to racing in Launceston on Wednesday night.
The 1100m benchmark 76 has attracted just a field of seven, and the likely race favourite, Geegees Gemstone from the Stuart Gandy stable, is a horse that Carr has ridden in all eight career starts, which include four victories.
"I know how good Geegees Gemstone is, so he's the one that I think will be hardest to beat, but it'll be interesting to see how Darma (jockey, Anthony Darmanin ) goes as he's not a really nice ride," said Carr with a laugh.
Queenborough Flyer won the $50,000 Lady Lynette last season, and Carr says that race is on the radar again in 2024.
"This is basically just a warm-up for the mares' races early next year.
"We thought about the Newmarket, but I think she just needs her confidence back, I probably made a few mistakes with her placement last campaign."
Queenborough Flyer has a great affinity with the Launceston track, with three of her four career wins coming at the venue, and Carr says the mare will also appreciate the 56kg she'll carry on Wednesday night.
"I don't remember the last time she carried anything below 57 or 58kg, so carrying less weight is going to help her first-up."
From a training perspective, Carr will take a team of five to Launceston on Wednesday, including last-start winner Lovin' Bev, who won her maiden by seven lengths when she last raced on 8 November.
"I was pretty confident the 1400 (metres) was going to suit her, but she shocked me how much she won by," said Carr, with the mare staying at 1400m for a class 1 on Wednesday night.
"She came through that run well enough, but we've just had a little virus go through the stable, and sadly, she was one of those that got it straight after the race.
"We seem to be on top of it now though, so hopefully she can run well again."
Carr rounds out her better winning chances in the second last race of the night when Swoop There It Is lines up in the benchmark 64 (1600m).
"She's up in grade obviously but down in weight, which I like, and if she can get the right run, she should be firing late."
