Shooting For Gold likely to bypass Stradbroke

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted have all but ruled out pushing on to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with Shooting For Gold.

Shooting For Gold and stable mate Tumbler Ridge are set to clash in the Group 2 Moreton Cup over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Moreton Cup winner is guaranteed a start in the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm on June 11 but the ballot free conditions is unlikely to sway the stable’s decision to bypass Queensland’s premier sprint with Shooting For Gold.

The Stradbroke Handicap appears to be a bridge too far for Shooting For Gold, who will be reserved for shorter races during the winter, while Tumbler Ridge will target the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast.

The O’Dea-Hoysted stable is aiming for its first Group 1 with Teranga in the Queensland Oaks while Scallopini could be its next hope for a win at the highest level in the Stradbroke after finishing seventh to Apache Chase in the Kingsford Smith Cup last Saturday.

“Scallopini was well down the order of entry but we think he’s about 24th now with a few questions on some others, so he’s an outside chance of getting a run,” Hoysted said.

Shooting For Gold is having his third run from a break and is coming off a last start fourth to Soxagon in the Listed ATC Cup, which is formerly the Prime Minister’s Cup, at the Gold Coast on May 7.

Soxagon has since franked the form with his win in last Saturday’s Group 3 BRC Sprint at Eagle Farm.

“He didn’t handle the heavy track at the Gold Coast but he’s come through the race very well and we’re really happy with him,” Hoysted said.

“Getting back on a firmer surface is going to suit Shooting For Gold a lot better and he’s got a good record at Eagle Farm.”

Tumbler Ridge hasn’t started since finishing eighth to Derulo in the Gold Jewel at the Gold Coast in the middle of March.

“Tumble Ridge isn’t nominated for the Stradbroke but we want to get through this race first before deciding his next run," the co-trainer said. 

“At this stage the Glasshouse Handicap looks a nice race for him.

“Tumbler Ridge is in good order after running in a trial at the Sunshine Coast recently.”

The Moreton Cup was originally run as the Katie’s Cup in 1979 and is arguably one of the biggest hoodoo races in the country with no winner going on to claim the Stradbroke Handicap.

Of the 24 Moreton Cup winners to start in the Stradbroke, only five have managed to fill a place.