3 minute read

We are away and racing for Stradbroke Season as the Queensland Winter Carnival begins officially on Guineas day.

Firstly to that Guineas where some Sydney horses will be darn pleased to be getting off the heavy going. So a horse like Bend The Knee, who was improving nicely, now finds a more suitable surface.

Remember this colt is a Listed winner over the Melbourne Cup carnival on good going third up last campaign.

From a lovely draw, Kerrin McEvoy can put him to sleep on the fence for the first half of the race and then be ready to let rip once they fan on the corner.

Some are here back in trip readying for Derbies, or coming off races with some tenuous form lines. That South Pacific he ran third in should hold up nicely.

Following on from that is another G2 race in the WFA Victory Stakes where the sprinters take centre stage.

Taking a stab that a horse dropping back from continually taking on the best of company may enjoy being back in Queensland and so Shaquero can run a race here.

A Magic Millions winner, he has only run against the best around in races like the Moir, Schillaci and VRC Classic plus took on his own age in the Coolmore down the straight.

He's now had a nice break and missed all that Sydney carnival. Off two trials and a soft gate, he can sit behind a strong speed and run a race at odds.

His stable mate Ranch Hand is also not hopeless having missed the really wet part of the Sydney Autumn.

That Coolmore run, coming from well back stands up as good form also and he ran into the best of the 3yo talent in the early part of the carnival.

Both seem good each way plays and must go into quaddies.

BRISBANE BEST

EACH WAY PLAY (1): Race 7 #3 Bend The Knee @ $5.00

EACH WAY PLAY (2): Race 8 #9 Shaquero @ $26.00 & #10 Ranch Hand @ $13.00