North Queensland bound Architect heads the nominations list for the Group 3 $125,000 XXXX Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Architect heads the Sunshine Coast Guineas nominations. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Architect blew away his opposition with a three and half lengths victory in the $50,000 Hardy Brothers Jewellers QTIS three year old Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Trainer David Lawlor then immediately announced that he was keen to take the Bel Esprit gelding to North Queensland to chase a home town win in the $75,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap (1200m) at Townsville on July 26.
“I’m from up there and I think he’d be suited on the track with long straight to give him plenty of time to wind up,” Lawlor said.
“At the moment it’s just a dream but I haven’t won that race before and I think he’s the best horse I’ve trained so he might be the one to do it.”
Architect finally delivered the result that Lawlor knew he was capable of at Eagle Farm and on that win the three year old is the standout of the twenty-seven entries in the Sunshine Coast Guineas if he can repeat that effort.
Lawlor had consistently sat in the stands and watched Architect doing his best work at the end of this races coming from well back in the field without claiming the major prize so his instructions to Tim Bell last Saturday were to ride the gelding a bit closer to the pace.
“He’s been getting a long way back and I was sick and tired of running seconds and thirds with him,” Lawlor said.
“I said to Tim to try and have him a bit closer if possible without pushing him and try and keep him away from other horses because he needs a bit of room.”
The all-conquering Chris Waller stable has nominated three for the Sunshine Coast Guineas, Mamwaazel, Sense And Reason and The Alfonso.
All three have been among the winning onslaught that Waller has been delivering over the last few months in Sydney and a trip north would not be out of the question for the three year olds.
Exceed And Excel filly Mamwaazel scored two starts back in three year old company over 1400m at Rosehill on May 31 before finishing fourth over 1500m at the same track in similar class June 14.
Sense And Reason, a filly also by Exceed And Excel is the winner of her last three starts, a midweek at Warwick Farm before winning over 1400m at Randwick and Rosehill on May 24 and June 14.
While Magnus colt The Alfonso has collected two first places in midweek class over 1550m on the Kensington track on May 21 then over 1600m at Warwick Farm on June 4.
Top Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote has nominated Hopfgarten who had winning form in the early part of the Winter Carnival.
After producing a winning hat trick in restricted class, Heathcote tested Hopfgarten out in Group 3 company and the Mossman gelding came through with flying colours with a win in the $125,000 APHS Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Doomben on April 26.
At his next start he was well beaten when fourteenth to Havana in the Group 3 $125,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 17 before running an improved fourth to Sir Moments in the Listed $125,000 Best Security Daybreak Lover (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
