Schweida's wet track prayers answered

By Glenn Davis

Kelly Schweida is hoping the rain Gods keep smiling on his stable as he shapes up for a big day at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Fresh from a winning double with Miss Hipstar and Slow Hands at Eagle Farm last Saturday, Schweida is looking for a big performance from Fleet Dove in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas over 1200 metres.

He also saddles up Cellarmaid in the Benchmark 78 Handicap, Spurcraft in the Bat Out Of Hell Handicap and Racecourse Road in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap.

A heavy track rating has boosted Schweida’s confidence with Fleet Dove, who hasn’t raced since finishing fifth to Apache Chase in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm on January 2.

Schweida has no bold plans with Fleet Dove this campaign and is likely to keep her to her own age group.

“It all depends how she goes in this race but there’s not too many suitable races around for her,” Schweida said.

“It’s a pretty strong race and we’ve had a lot of rain but that won’t worry her.

“She’s had a barrier trial and ran last but it was a hot trial and she didn’t disappoint me.

“If she can get out to 1350 metres, a few options might open up.”

Fleet Dove has started eight times for three wins and two seconds, lifting her prizemoney to almost $138,000 and is unbeaten first-up with two wins.

Her heavy track record stands at two wins and a second from three starts.

Schweida expects another strong showing from Racecourse Road, who is unbeaten in two starts this campaign.

The five-year-old won his only start on a heavy track and has four wins from eight starts on soft tracks.

A son of noted wet track sire Show A Heart, Racecourse Road hasn’t started since beating the recently retired Jadentom over 1200 metres at Doomben on April 10.

“He hasn’t raced for a month but he likes the Gold Coast and wet tracks,” Schweida said.

“I don’t gallop him much and I’m hopeful he’ll run well again although the topweight (Scallopini) is pretty smart.”

Meanwhile Schweida confirmed Miss Hipstar will head towards the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm on May 29 when a decision will be made whether to tackle the $1 million Group 1 J J Atkins at Eagle Farm on June 12.