O'Dea and Hoysted split Ipswich pairing

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted has decided against a dual pronged attack and will split its troops at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Promising fillies Cartwheels and Aerial Dancer are the stable’s only Ipswich runners and were both dual acceptors at the meeting.

The pair were set to clash in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1350 metres before the stable preferred to keep the pair apart ahead of a possible clash during the Queensland Racing Carnival.

Instead, Cartwheels – a Justin Huxtable mount – will be the stable’s sole runner in the QTIS race while Aerial Dancer – a Nikita Beriman ride – will tackle the Class 1 Handicap over 1350 metres.

Both fillies have been ultra impressive in their short careers so far and the Ipswich runs will be a tune up for the Queensland Racing Carnival.

“The only reasons they’re apart is because of their barrier draws and all going well they’ll be set for the Princess Stakes,” co-trainer Hoysted said. 

“We’ll get through this race at Ipswich first and then hopefully the Princess Stakes before determining where they go in the winter.”

The Listed Princess Stakes will be run over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm on April 27.

Cartwheels, a daughter of Trapeze Artist, is having her first start since a five length demolition in a 1200 metre maiden at Ipswich on December 24.

Aerial Dancer was equally as impressive winning a 1400 metre maiden at the Sunshine Coast on another heavy track on January 19.

“Cartwheels was very good last time in but she was very green,” Hoysted said.

“It was a very heavy track the day she won at Ipswich last start so we decided to give her a break straight after it.

“She’s a very nice filly but she’s been a little backwards and has taken time to develop.

“She’s bred to get 1600 metres and possible more, so she’ll just target the Princess Stakes first and see what happens.”

Hoysted said Aerial Dancer was just as impressive in her win at the Sunshine Coast last start and has freshened up nicely for her Ipswich assignment.

“They both barrier trialled well on the Polytrack at the Gold Coast to prepare for their campaigns,” he said.

Meanwhile, the stable’s flag bearer Uncommon James is back in the stable following a 10 day break after finishing fifth in the Group 1 The Galaxy at Rosehill on March 23.

“We’re happy with the way he’s going and his next run will be in the Victory Stakes before the Doomben 10,00 and Kingsford Smith,” Hoysted said.

The stable is yet to decide whether Uncommon James will target the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.