Tough stayer Big Duke is likely to get a favourable wet track when he backs up in the Listed $175,000 Kendrick Racing Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Big Duke, above, is set to back up in the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.

Big Duke, above, is set to back up in the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.

Trainer Kris Lees had given Big Duke the all clear to back up this week after finishing second to three year old Vow And Declare in last Saturday’s Group 3 $200,000 Lazy Yak Tattersall’s Cup (3000m) at Eagle Farm.

Big Duke has raced on good rated tracks at his four Queensland Winter Carnival runs and Lees said that the seven year will appreciate a bit of moisture in the in the Sunshine Course track that was rated a heavy 9 when acceptances were taken on Wednesday.

“He’s come through the run well and I expected him to get around 61kgs,” Lees told Racing Queensland News Desk.

“He ran second in a (Group 1) Tancred Stakes so he deserves to get that sort of weight in a Listed race.

“He’s crying out for a wet track as he doesn’t like it when the track is too firm.”

Big Duke has drawn barrier three in the fifteen horse Caloundra Cup field and will be ridden by the in-form Larry Cassidy who will be the fifth jockey in five starts for the gelding.

Blake Shinn was aboard Big Duke last week when runner up in the Tattersall’s Cup, John Allen rode him at his previous start when third in the Group 2 $400,000 Lexus Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm while Brenton Avdulla and Sam Clipperton split the riding duties at his two previous starts at Doomben for an eighth in the Group 2 $400,000 Bundaberg Rum P.J. O’Shea Stakes (2200m) and a thirteenth in the Group 1 $700,000 Doomben Cup (2000m).

Lees will also saddle up Saunter Boy who will jump from gate eleven with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle replacing Jason Collett who was aboard for the six year olds last start fifth in the Listed $150,000 Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on June 15.

Trainer Chris Waller will have three representatives in the Caloundra Cup with Tegan Harrison getting the ride on Mazaz who draw the best of the trio at barrier two, Ryan Maloney rides Exoteric (barrier 10) and Brad Stewart got the call up on Casterton (barrier 12).

Leading Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick, who is the major sponsor of the Caloundra Cup, will saddle up one runner in Mymming who has drawn barrier seven with Micheal Hellyer in the saddle.

Final field for the 2019 Caloundra Cup (2400m)

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Hcp Rating
1 x262200832 BIG DUKE (IRE) Kris Lees Larry Cassidy 3 60.5kg 106
2 11512×7060 EXOTERIC (GB) Chris Waller Ryan Maloney 10 57kg 99
3 x64x407080 CASTERTON (IRE) Chris Waller Brad Stewart 12 55.5kg 96
4 4811953×45 SAUNTER BOY (FR) Kris Lees Jeff Lloyd 11 55kg 95
5 412×942230 IGRAINE (GER) Robert Priscott Robbie Fradd 5 54kg 97
6 78×0567827 SOPRESSA Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Matthew McGillivray 1 54kg 92
7 9640×02704 MASTER ZEPHYR (GB) Tony Haydon Glen Boss 6 54kg 88
8 271×409503 MAZAZ (IRE) Chris Waller Tegan Harrison 2 54kg 86
9 7×15126510 RUBY GURU (NZ) Michael Nolan Dale Smith 9 54kg 81
10 2032×12125 TRAVISTEE (NZ) Paul Jenkins Tiffani Brooker 15 54kg 78
11 52528×3966 TERRA SANCTA (NZ) Tony Pike Jim Byrne 13 54kg 77
12 87×7118358 MYMMING Stuart Kendrick Micheal Hellyer 7 54kg 75
13 633xL81003 TUCANO (IRE) Tony Haydon Luke Tarrant 4 54kg 71
14 283×521133 GALAXY GURU Paul H Duncan Mark Du Plessis 14 54kg 70
15 53×5186352 HEART OF TOORAK David Scanes Ron Stewart 8 54kg 59

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.