Havasay has been luckless in his two most recent appearances on course but trainer Liam Birchley is confident the two-year-old is primed for a return to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s Listed The Phoenix (1350m) at Doomben.
Liam Birchley is confident Havasay will run a big race in The Phoenix at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello
Debuting for a credible third in the RVR Thorougbred Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on April 11th, Havasay was disappointing when failing to match the late pace and seventh in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m) in Toowoomba on May 2nd but produced a strong kick to overcome a luckless run in the Tradies Day Saturday Maiden (1200m) most recently on May 9th.
Thrilled with his allocation of barrier 2, Birchley told Racing Ahead he is confident the Rothesay colt is in the right condition for a maiden race win in the 2015 The Phoenix despite having never contested a black type event.
“I think he’ll run a terrific race,” Birchley said.
“His first start was top class and I thought he’d go to Toowoomba and just win there but I can’t put my finger on what went wrong there – whether it was the track surface or we rode him too close, by the went awful.
“Took him back to the Gold Coast where he drew terribly, we went back from the gate and sort of stuck all sorts of trouble. He should have definitely won and won well.
“This is his next run and from the good gate it looks like there’s a little bit of pace there so hopefully he’ll be charging home late.
“When he has settled back he’s really hit the line well and his best work has been at the end of his race. It will suit him down to the ground.”
Birchley said an appearance in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) on June 6th will likely figure for Havasay should he perform well in The Phoenix.
“As long as he does well Saturday (he will head to the J.J. Atkins),” he said.
“They’re no pushovers those races so they’ve got to be going well.”
Confirmed to be partnered by Glen Colless, Havasay is currently available at 2015 The Phoenix odds of $8.50 for success with Ladbrokes Australia.
