A winning return at Doomben today will see speedy colt Wicked Intent book a ticket to Melbourne for the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31.
Wicked Intent can earn a start in the Coolmore Stud Stakes with a winning return at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Wicked Intent is having his first run back since winning the 1100m 2yo Handicap at Ipswich on Ipswich Cup Day at the tail end of the Queensland Winter Carnival.
The Wicked Style colt is certain to start a short priced favourite in the $65,000 Kangaroo Bus Lines QTIS Three Year Old Handicap (1050m) at Doomben today following the scratching of his main rival, the Liam Birchley trained Karaka Million winner Hardline.
Trainer Chris Munce has a very high opinion of Wicked Intent and knows he is not aiming too high with Melbourne Spring Carnival plans in the pipeline and is confident that his brilliant colt will return a winner today and provee he is worthy of a place in the Coolmore Stud Stakes field. .
“I think they all have to beat my bloke,” Munce told The Courier Mail.
“A lot of them have drawn badly and would be crucifying their own chances if they went out to lead at all costs.”
“It’s a dream to take him away and it would be great for the owners, who have never raced a horse at all, let alone getting one like this guy,” Munce said.
“I think he’s worthy of the trip and his recent jumpout was very good.”
Even though Munce can see Glen Colless skipping straight to the front from the inside barrier, the former champion jockey can still see plenty of talent among the remainder of the field even with the absence of Hardline.
Toowoomba filly Blue Desert Moon is undefeated from two race starts and led all of the way to record a two and three quarter lengths win over 1110m in a three year old Handicap at Doomben three weeks ago.
The Darryl Hansen trained Tibrogargan Miss showed in the Autumn that she has plenty of natural ability with a third to Always Allison in the Group 2 $175,000 Les Johnson Memorial Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on February 28.
And Secert Saga from the in-form Tony Gollan stable is a winner from two of her four race starts and matched strides with multiple Group 1 Buffering in a recent jumpout.
Kangaroo Bus Lines Handicap market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.50 Wicked Intent, $3.30 Blue Desert Moon, $4.40 Secret Saga, $6 Tibrogargan Miss, $18 Mishani Di Caprio, $19 Tamrookum, $31 Honey Ko, $61 Marauding Girl.
