Image credit: Caught In The Act Photography CQ
By Glenn Davis
The often-used phrase - weight can stop a train – will be put to the test in Thursday’s Coral Coast Shield qualifier at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park.
Trainer Jim O’Shea will saddle up two runners in the 1300-metre feature with Barachiel allotted topweight with a massive 62.5kgs, while his other runner in Spring Creek will carry 56kgs.
Barachiel has been an ultra-consistent performer, with two wins and four placings from his past seven starts.
However, the seven-year-old blotted his copybook at his most recent appearance beating only one home behind the Tim Cook-trained I Can I Will I Am over 1400 metres at Yeppoon on October 1.
O’Shea has decided not to claim on the gelding, replacing apprentice Marnu Potgieter with Justin Stanley.
Spring Creek, who finished fourth behind I Can I Will I Am in the same Yeppoon race, will be ridden by Chris Whiteley.
O’Shea was reluctant to separate his pair, which are the only horses he has in training.
“There’s very little between them and it’ll get down to whoever has the best luck in running,” O’Shea said.
“Spring Creek hasn’t been quite right at her last couple of runs but she looks a lot better in the coat now.
“I don’t rate one better than the other.”