Worthy Cause change Of Plans, Tramway Stakes next

A change of plans for Queensland galloper Worthy Cause will now see the four year old tackle the Group 2 $175,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 when he heads to Sydney.

Worthy Cause will now be aimed towards the Tramway Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Worthy Cause will now be aimed towards the Tramway Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Sunshine Coast trainer John Zielke has originally earmarked the Group 2 weight for age $250,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) on the same day as Worthy Cause’s springboard into the Spring Carnival but sees the 1400m under the set weights with penalties a better option.

Zielke is also chasing Tommy Berry to partner the Choisir entire for the Tramway Stakes and will know by mid-week if he has secured the services of the top Sydney jockey.

“I have spoken to Tommy Berry’s manager about Worthy Cause and the Tramway,” Zielke told The Courier-Mail.

“He’s happy for the switch and agreed the race conditions better suit us. History shows that the Tramway is a good springboard for races like the George Main and the Epsom.

“I will know my midweek whether Tommy is on.”

The weight for age Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) is run at Randwick on September 19 followed two weeks later by the Group 1 $1m The Star Epsom (1600m) also at Randwick.

Apprentice Luke Dittman was aboard Worthy Cause when he resumed from a spell to score an impressive first up win in the $65,000 TEECE AIR-CON BenchMark 85 Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on August 15.

Zielke said that connections were very happy with Dittman’s winning ride but have opted for a Sydney jockey when they head south.

“It was the decision from the owner that they wanted to go to a senior jockey,” Zielke said.

“That is certainly nothing against Luke, but Worthy Cause is going towards some big races where apprentices cannot claim.”

Zielke has set out an ambitious Spring program in Sydney and Melbourne which includes the Group 1 $1m Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 31 and will then head back to Queensland to prepare for the $1m Magic Millions Trophy (1800m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.

“He will run in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on October 31. We won’t target the Cox Plate this year but maybe next year,” Zielke said.

Zielke first trumpeted his high opinion of Worthy Cause when he won the Group 3 $125,000 Surfers Paradise RSL Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at the Gold Coast at the start of the Queensland Winter Carnival.

The Choisir colt then went on to run third to subsequent Queensland Oaks winner Winx in the Group 3 $125,000 XXXX Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 16 and rounded off his Winter Carnival with a respectable seventh to Magicool in the Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on June 6.

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.