Promising three year old Actuariat is on trial for a Queensland Winter Carnival campaign when he lines up in the Listed $80,000 H C Nitschke Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
Actuariat is on trial for a Winter Carnival campaign in the H C Nitschke Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.
The lightly raced Actuariat has won three of his five starts and trainer Greg Eurell believes there is a lot more improvement to come from the Domesday gelding following his win against his own age over 1400m at Flemington on April 11.
“He gives me the impression that he’s the kind of horse that can keep improving,” Eurell told The Advertiser.
“It’ll be interesting to see what he can do over a bit more ground.”
Eurell has seen Actuariat mature along the way and another impressive performance will see him head to Brisbane for the three year old races over the Winter Carnival.
“I just have to assess it … and see if he gives the impression we might be able to go up north and look at the Brisbane carnival with him,” Eurell said.
“Each start you can see that mentally he’s developing into a very nice racehorse.”
“I thought he relaxed well last start and hit the line terrific. It was a good, strong sustained run to the line.
“He was broken in and came straight to us. We’ve gradually, bit by bit, nursed him along and educated him.
“He ticks a lot of boxes.”
The Group 2 $400,000 Sky Racing Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Doomben on June 6 would be a nice target for Actuariat but if Eurell thinks the gelding will handle a middle distance and keep improving, the Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on the same day could be another option.
But first Eurell wants to see him perform on Saturday and will be instructing new rider Dom Tourneur to have Actuariat in the first half of the field from barrier four.
“Dom should be able to get him into a good spot from there,” Eurell said.
“I was a bit surprised he got back as far as he did last start. I thought he’d be a bit closer to the speed.
“On Saturday, I don’t want to see him back that far.
“I think this race is a good stepping stone for him.
Actuariat has been installed the $3 favouirte for the H C Nitschke Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of local three year olds Burgundy Blast at $3.70 and Magic Boy at $5.50.
The Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained Burgundy Blast scored two starts back over 1000m at Morphettville Parks on March 14 then never threatened when eleventh to Eclair Choice in the Listed $80,000 Projection Graphics Redelva Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville last Saturday.
Third favourite Magic Boy is a winner of four races from twelve starts and resumed from a spell to win over 1200m at Morphettville on April 11.
