Devine Force on trial for Sydney's Percy Sykes

By Glenn Davis

Unbeaten filly Devine Force will be out to stamp her credentials for a Sydney trip when she makes her comeback at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Trainer Chris Munce wants to see how Devine Force performs in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1000 metres before committing to an interstate trip for the $1 million Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick on April 13.

“She’s coming along well and ran third in a barrier trial and has had a jump out,” Munce said.

“I want to see how she comes back before I make any firm decisions, but she’ll have to win or be very unlucky if she’s to go to Sydney for the Percy Sykes. It’s a very strong race she’s resuming in.”

Devine Force has won her only two starts in contrasting styles.

The daughter for first season sire Cosmic Force came from midfield to snatch a narrow win on debut over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm in October last year.

She then qualified for the Magic Millions Classic with an all-the-way win at the same track in November.

Munce has a strong team of juveniles this season with Devine Force and stable mate Poster Girl, who could be a possible winter carnival contender.

Devine Force was being aimed for the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January before her campaign was derailed after qualifying for the $2 million feature.

“She had a bit of a setback before the Magic Millions and I just ran out of time getting her ready,” Munce said.

“She’s had a good spell since and she matured a lot during her break.”

Munce is undecided whether Devine Force will head to the Queensland Racing Carnival in the winter as there are few suitable races for her.

“She’ll struggle to get over the ground for a race like the Sires’ Produce,” Munce said.

However, Munce has more ammunition in the stable with Poster Girl who has just returned to his stable following a break.

“Poster Girl has just come back into work and she’s grown and filled out a lot during her break,” he said.

“I’m still undecided about the winter here with her as well or whether to give her a couple of runs and aim her for the spring races down south.”

Poster Girl, a daughter of Alabama Express, finished second behind the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy in the Group 3 B.J. Mclachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm in late December.

She then put up a brave performance after getting well back to finish sixth in the Magic Millions Classic won by Storm Boy.