Conservatorium to target Stradbroke Handicap

Adelaide sprinter Conservatorium will be heading back to Queensland in the Winter to target the 2014 Group 1 $1.36m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm after returning to the winner’s stall at Ascot on Saturday.

Conservatorium will be aimed towards the G1 $1.3m Stradbroke Handicap.

Conservatorium will be aimed towards the G1 $1.3m Stradbroke Handicap. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Conservatorium scored his second win of the Festival Of Perth Racing when he proved too strong for Power Princess in the Group 3 $125,000 A.J. Scahill Stakes (1400m).

The Gary Kennewell trained gelding took out the Group 2 $250,000 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 9 but was out of luck when eighth to Luckygray in the Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught – Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 23 after striking interference at the 1200m.

Conservatorium required intensive farrier work before lining up in the Scahill Stakes after some of his hoof was ripped away when he lost a racing plate in the incident in the Railway Stakes as well as receiving some abrasions on his hock.

“He’s got no foot there. It’s that bare when you take the shoe off,” Kennewell told the West Australian.

“The incident ruined any chance he had of winning the race. The knock on the hock was only a graze and he has had a few days of swimming to get over it.”

Kennewell will send Conservatorium for a break before preparing him for a third shot at the Group 1 $500,000 The Distinctive Homes Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May before heading back to Brisbane for the Stradbroke Handicap.

The six year old ran sixth to Lone Rock in the 2011 Goodwood and claimed the runner’s up cheque when second to Platelet this year before he headed to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival.

The Royal Academy gelding was second emergency for the  Stradbroke Handicap but failed to gain a start but went on to win the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on June 15.

“He’ll probably have one run at home and go back to Brisbane for the winter carnival,” Kennewell said.

“The Stradbroke will be his aim. He was an emergency for it this year.”

Conservatorium is a winner of nine races from thirty-one starts and earned over $770,000 in prizemoney for connections.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.