Lovethebeaches Primed for Queensland Cup

Lovethebeaches returned to the winner’s circle with a five-length success in the Stayers Cup over two miles at Randwick on June 6th, and trainer Steve Hodge is confident the talented mare is in the right form to repeat the dose in Saturday’s Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) on the Sunshine Coast.

Lovethebeaches has been included in nominations for Saturday's Queensland Cup on the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Steve Hart

Lovethebeaches has been included in nominations for Saturday’s Queensland Cup on the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Steve Hart

Jumping from the gates well, jockey Paul King immediately led the daughter of Dubai Destination to the fore of the field of eight; setting a fair tempo and opening a gap of close to 100m in transit before producing a strong-enough kick to comfortably secure the victory.

Broadmeadow-based horseman Hodge is thrilled to have retained the services of King for Lovethebeaches’ tilt at the 2015 Queensland Cup and is confident of a similarly-impressive result to that posted at Randwick last start.

“Knowing that she will run the two miles is an advantage but she might not lead like she did the other day,” Hodge told Racenet.

“I will leave it up to Paul. He’s ridden in more 3200-metre races than I have.

“As long as we make it a proper staying test. That’s what suits her best. He can just settle her where she’s comfortable and take it from there.

“I wouldn’t say she’s getting better with age, but she’s at the right distance now.

“She isn’t up to the top class horses but her work has been good and she’s won two of her past three starts.

“To have Paul go up and ride her is great. It gives me that bit of extra confidence.”

Have appeared on course competitively a total of 39 times, Lovethebeaches has interestingly never won a race over a distance of less-than 2100m.

Having finished fourth in the TAB Rewards BM80 (2200m), Lovethebeaches ran second in the Gosford Rotary BM65 (2080m) on May 7th before taking out the De Bortoli Wines BM61 (2600m) at Gosford only a week later.

Lovethebeaches was included amongst a talented list of eleven 2015 Queensland Cup nominations on Monday morning; a final field and barrier draw to be completed and released by Wednesday.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.