That’s A Good Idea steps up in class in Healy Stakes

Even though That’s A Good Idea is stepping back up to Group 3 grade in the $175,000 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, he still has to carry the top weight.

That's A Good Idea is one of the top fancies in the W J Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

That’s A Good Idea is one of the top fancies in the W J Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

That’s A Good Idea has been allocated 59.5kg for the Healy Stakes after carrying 62kg when he returned to the winner’s stall for the first time in twelve months when he won a 1100m Open Handicap at Randwick on May 28.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained six year old’s previous win was in the Listed $140,000 Arrowfield Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 16, 2015.

Co-trainer Peter Snowden was pleased to see That’s A Good Idea back in winning mode and can see him being very hard to beat again on the weekend.

“That’s A Good Idea comes off a strong win on an unsuitable track and he carried 62kg and won,’ Snowden said.

“He beat some handy horses in the process and he is in good order.”

That’s A Good Idea has drawn handily at barrier two and big race jockey Hugh Bowman is certain to find a handy position from the good gate.

Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the W J Healy Stakes has the John O’Shea trained Mogador as the $4.20 favourite just ahead of That’s A Good Idea at $4.40.

Mogador is also stepping up in grade and is taking on the older sprinters after finishing second to Kamacite in the Listed $100,000 Suez Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) for the three year olds at Doomben May 28.

The Lonhro colt has drawn the rails with Robbie Fradd in the saddle.

Also prominent in the market order at $5.50 is the Robert Smerdon trained colt Odyssey Moon who is coming off a win in a 1300m three year old Handicap at Sandown on June 4.

Chris Parnham is re-united with Odyssey Moon who will have to overcome the outside barrier in the thirteen horse field.

Local sprinters Tina Melina, barrier five with Jim Byrne in the saddle, and Into The Red, barrier seven with apprentice Luke Dittman retaining the ride, share the next line of betting at $8.

Market order for the W.J. Healy Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 Mogador, $4.40 That’s A Good Idea, $5.50 Odyssey Moon, $8 Into The Red, Tina Melina, $12 Saluter, $14 Shamalia, $16 Blackboard Special, $19 Dream Choice, $26 Man Manu, $31 Hotel Drive, $34 Rock Royalty, $51 Final Crescendo.

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.