Trainer Colin Scott has revealed that 2014 Doncaster Mile hopeful Speediness will back up in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) if he performs well in the Group 1 handicap at Royal Randwick this weekend.
Speediness finished a narrow second behind Gordon Lord Byron in the 2014 George Ryder Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Speediness proved that he was capable of performing at Group 1 weight-for-age level when he finished second in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 29 and Scott told Racing Ahead that he is confident the son of Testa Rossa will be competitive over 2000 metres in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 19.
“If he runs well and he comes through the run well he will back up the following week in the Queen Elizabeth,” Scott said.
“He has only had one start at 2000 metres and that was in the Queen Elizabeth.
“He ran seventh, but he was only beaten six lengths and that was a couple of years ago when he probably wasn’t running as well as he is now.
“That was a very good race that day and I’m sure that as long as he settles he would run the ten furlongs.”
Scott said yesterday that he believes that Speediness is excellent value at his 2014 Doncaster Mile odds, but the six-year-old continued to drift in betting markets after drawing barrier one for the $3 million race yesterday.
The Caulfield-based trainer said that he is not worried about the inside barrier draw for Speediness and is confident that champion jockey Damien Oliver will be able to give the tough gelding every possible chance in the Doncaster Mile on Saturday.
“He will get back a little bit anyway, but I will leave that to Olly,” Scott said.
“He is a superstar and I don’t need to be telling him what to do.
“He would have walked the tracks and watched all the races to see how it is playing by then.
“I am certainly happy drawing one than being right on the outside there.”
Scott was thrilled with the performance of Speediness in the George Ryder Stakes, when he was narrowly denied a maiden Group 1 victory by Irish-trained Gordon Lord Byron, and has said throughout the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival that his star galloper would be at his best over 1600 metres and under handicap conditions in the Doncaster Mile.
“I think I am only one in the country that would have been happy if the internationals had stayed home,” Scott said when asked about Speediness’ performance in the George Ryder Stakes.
“He went super at weight-for-age, he didn’t get beaten far and I am looking forward to it.
“For him to be as competitive as what he has been at weight-for-age has been excellent and it is not a massive drop in weight, but I’m sure that the horse will appreciate it.”
Speediness is currently available at 2014 Doncaster Mile odds of $17 and is available at a quote of $31 for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
