The prospect of a rain affected track is the only concern trainer Barry Mitchell has with his unbeaten two year old Wicked Intent in the Listed $100,000 Morgans Seafood Phelan Ready Stakes (1050m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Wicked Intent is aiming for three wins from three starts in the Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Another win on the weekend will keep Wicked Intent at the top of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic market order and Mitchell is confident he will be hard to beat again.
“Given reasonable conditions he will account for himself very well,” Mitchell told the Sportsman.
Following a week of storms moving across the Brisbane area, Doomben has received 62.5mm for the last seven days, 45mm in the last twenty-four hours, and the track was rated a Soft 7 on Friday morning.
Wicked Intent has been installed the favourite for the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 10 following his two impressive wins from only two race starts and will cement his place at the top of the market order with another win.
The Wicked Style colt scored on debut with Brad Stewart in saddle over 900m at the Gold Coast on October 4 and then produced a dominant performance to lead all of the way for a four and half lengths win over 1050m at Doomben a fortnight ago with Chris Munce on board.
Wicked Intent has drawn beautifully at barrier four in the eleven horse Phelan Ready Stakes field with Munce to ride again.
Mitchell is hoping for a tougher contest on Saturday to give Wicked Intent a good test as he builds up his preparation for the Gold Coast grand final in a month.
“I am hoping that there are a few in it that can put some pressure on him,” Mitchell said.
“He hasn’t had a lot of pressure put on him and there will be plenty in the Magic Millions.”
“We’d like to put him under the microscope a bit to see how he copes with it.”
Even though Wicked Intent showed a clean set of heels in his all the way win at Doomben, Mitchell is adamant that the colt doesn’t have to lead in his races.
“We have trialled him and galloped him with other horses and made sure he comes from behind,” Mitchell said.
“In his first race he didn’t lead all of the way so he doesn’t have to lead.”
“He has good gate speed and that gets him rolling.”
Wicked Intent has opened up in the red with Ladbrokes.com.au installing him as the $1.60 favourite for the Phelan Ready Stakes.
It’s Vegas Baby has started once for a second over 900m at the Gold Coast and is next in the betting at $6 ahead of number one saddlecloth holder Mishani Di Caprio at $8.50.
The Danny Bougoure trained first starter Red Magic is the only other runner under double figures at $9.
