The 2015 Toy Show Quality at Royal Randwick on August 22 is now an option for Brook Road after she recorded an impressive victory in The July Sprint (1100m) at Canterbury on Saturday.
Brook Road could head to the Toy Show Quality after she returned to winning form in The July Sprint. Photo by: Steve Hart
Brook Road went into The July Sprint as a clear favourite despite her first-up flop in a benchmark 95 event at Rosehill Gardens on July 4 and she was settled in the second half of the field by jockey Brenton Avdulla while Kencella and Zaratone made sure there was speed of speed in the race.
The God’s Own mare travelled into the race beautifully coming around the turn and it took her a while to respond when she was asked for an extra effort, but she flew home in the final 100 metres to record a most impressive win from Burbero and Kencella.
Trainer Kris Lees told the media after the race that he was thrilled to see Brook Road return to winning form in the July Sprint and he revealed that the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 could be the next target for the rising five-year-old.
“I was happy to see the speed and they certainly did what we expected,” Lees said.
“She just let down like you would want and it was a good win.
“It was heavy but uneven last time and she just wasn’t comfortable.
“That is heavy but very even – it is our best racing surface.
“It was good to see and we might look for a black type race, like the Toy Show.
“I didn’t think she gets 1400 metres and she is good at 1200m, but that is 1300m and might be just right for her.”
Avdulla said after the race that he was delighted when the two leaders set a hot tempo in the early stages of the race and he was happy to let Brook Road settle into her own rhythm.
The talented hoop said that he was thrilled with the acceleration that Brook Road was shown when she was asked for an extra effort and he believes that the mare has the ability to compete at Group level during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.
“I just let them go and she settled,” Avdulla said.
“I got a great run up on the fence and then they were all getting off, so I lost no momentum and drove through.
“She has a very sharp sprint when you need it and there is more in store for her.”
Brook Road has the chance to record a second win at black-type level after she took out the Listed Travel Associates Classic (1200m) at Doomben in November last year.
