Two pronged attack on Sunshine Coast Cup

Feature racing heads to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday and we are hopeful that

we can again win the race claimed by Shenzhou Steeds last year.

That talented galloper, who caught the eye with a fast finishing second behind Riayla in the Gr.3 Tatt's Cup last weekend, looks nicely placed to win the Listed event two years running.

And should he succeed it will be the third year in a row he has won the the day - in 2011 taking out the Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas at this meeting.

"He has come through his last run extremely well," said Ballymore racing manager Anthony Feroce, "he loves the track and we are very pleased with him."

Unbeaten in three starts at the track, Shenzhou Steeds will be parterned by regular rider Eddie Wilkinson whilst Ric McMahon takes the ride on stablemate Muirfield.

Getting a fair way back in the Ipswich Cup at his most recent outing, Muirfield was doing his best work late on a tigh-turning track that Wilkinson said did not really suit him.

"A few things went against him but overall I thought he ran well," he said.

"He was a little bit lost around Ipswich but his last 150 metres was good once he got balanced up and into the clear."

"He has improved since that run," Feroce added, "and getting to a big track and a rain affected surface is going to suit him."

Ballymore also saddles up two runners at Saturday's Moonee Valley meeting kicking off with exciting filly Octavia (pictured) who resumes in the Simpson Construction Handicap.

Successful at stakes level at her most recent outing in early February, Octavia will again be aimed at feature racing with the Gr.3 Bletchingly Stakes pencilled in as her third up run.

"We thought we would bring her back in these three-year-old races and if she's going well we might have a crack at it," said Feroce.

"Hopefully she can go into the Bletchingly very fit."

"She has come back bigger and stronger," he added - "and we are expecting a forward showing."

Also racing at Moonee Valley, lining up in the Programmed Property Services Handicap, is Bonnie Mac who is due a change of luck after getting too far out of her ground at Caulfield last start.

"She has had a little set-back since," Feroce explained - "an elevated temperature and a virus but she has got over it and we are happy with her."

In a busy interestate day we will also be cheering on a couple of Sydney runners with Savvy Dancer and Don Carlos both heading to Rosehill.

Hard fit for recent racing Savvy Dancer contests the Calcoup Knitwear Handicap.

"He should enjoy the wet weather," Feroce said, "and he has done very well this week."

Don Carlos is in the main race of the day, the Listed Winter Cup and we are hoping for an improved showing.

"He put in a puzzling run last start," Feroce admitted, "but we think maybe we rode him too close and he may also have got his tongue over the bit."

"So he has a tongue tie this time and we are expecting improvement."

[27 Jun 13]

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