By Glenn Davis
The Edmonds training partnership is hopeful of steering punters into another winner at Doomben on Wednesday.
The Edmonds team of Toby and son Trent has trained 20 winners since starting their new venture at the start of the season and will have two runners at Doomben.
Unfortunately, the pair had mixed luck in the barrier draw when Great Keppell drew the outside gate 13 in the Class Two Handicap (1350m) while Beacon drew barrier three in the Class Six Handicap (1350m).
“We’ve had a great start to the season and have won 20 races but we’ve only got two runners tomorrow and Great Keppell has drawn terrible,” Trent Edmonds said.
“Great Keppell will go back from the alley and both his recent wins were super.”
Great Keppell won his maiden at Doomben last month and has risen sharply in the weights to 59kgs after following up the victory with a last start win in a benchmark race at the Gold Coast on September 7.
Leading apprentice Baylee Nothdurft has been engaged to offset Great Keppell’s big weight.
“He smashed them when he won his maiden at Doomben and then he beat Nothing Needed at the Gold Coast and that horse went on to win at the Gold Coast last Saturday,” Edmonds said.
“His form is very good but it’s unfortunate he drew badly.”
Edmonds is more hopeful with Beacon but is also worried about the second-up hoodoo.
Beacon had his first start since April when second to Connoisseur in a 1200-metre Class Five at Ipswich on September 11.
“His first-up run was very good but he went into the race a bit fat so he should improve a lot with the run,” Edmonds said.
“He’s drawn a nice alley but stepping up to 1350 metres second-up is a bit of a concern.”
Team Edmonds sits third on the Brisbane trainers’ premiership table with eight wins, marginally ahead of fourth placed Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
Tony Gollan has a slight lead in the premiership battle with 15.5 wins, 2.5 wins clear of the Anderson-Heathcote training partnership.
“Our strike rate is quite good so hopefully we can pick up another win at least at Doomben,” Edmonds said.
Racing Queensland webnews September 24