Team Sears chasing Group 1 dreams

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of Tony and Maddysen Sears are hoping Goldeel and Red Wave can stake claims to be their first Group 1 starters during the upcoming TAB Queensland Winter Carnival when the pair clash at Doomben on Saturday.

The Toowoomba stable mates meet for the first time when they step up to 2000 metres in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Goldeel is on trial for the Group 1 Queensland Oaks over 2400 metres while Red Wave is aiming for the Group 1 Queensland Derby during the upcoming winter carnival.

Co-trainer Tony Sears admitted he was disappointed with Goldeel’s last start third behind the Rob Heathcote-trained Mosshiki in the National Apprentice Series race at Doomben last week.

“We were hoping before her last run that she might head to the Queensland Oaks but I was a bit disappointed with her last run,” Sears said.

“But, it was a slowly run race which didn’t suit her and the winner skipped away three or four lengths in front of her.

“There's a chance she could still go the Oaks but she’ll need to win, otherwise she might go for a spell.”

Sears is reluctant to separate the pair and is confident Red Wave will also be competitive following his last start third behind Australian Oaks hopeful Gypsy Goddess over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm on March 12.

“He’s screaming out for 2000 metres and whatever beats him will win,” he said.

“If he shows he can stay which we think he can, he’ll go towards the Queensland Derby.

“He’s a really nice horse and has got a good turn of foot.”

The Sears partnership has been training for only two years after Maddysen left school and was a former receptionist before working alongside her father.

Sears senior has been one of the leading trainers on the Darling Downs for many years and has won Stakes races but is yet to train a Group winner.

“I haven’t won a Group race yet but I’ve raced in a few including some Group 1's but I have won a few Listed races,” Sears said.

“The closest I’ve run in a Group 1 was with Sister Theresa who ran fourth in the Queensland Oaks in 1988 when Mick Dittman rode her and she also ran in the Derby that year.”