Trainer Kelly Schweida back at track after surgery

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Kelly Schweida is hopeful of a winning return when he personally saddles up for his first meeting in six weeks at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.

Schweida is back raring to go following recent surgery and is hopeful of a “first-up” win from Sailor’s Secret in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1200 metres.

“I had surgery six weeks ago and I haven’t been able to drive so this will be the first meeting I’ve attended since the operation,” Schweida said.

Schweida had accepted with six runners but has scratched Star Gamble from the Class 3 Handicap and has an added incentive to see Sailor’s Secret register his second win from only seven starts.

“I’ve got a few in but I think Sailor’s Secret is my best chance and I own half of him,” Schweida said.

Sailor’s Secret was ridden by Schweida’s apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor last start when finishing a handy fourth behind Flaming Conquest and Steady Ready in a 1050 metre Benchmark 72 at Doomben on September 3.

“It was a good run last time but he’s drawn seven out of seven,” Schweida said.

“I’d prefer barrier one every time.”

With James Orman’s booking for rival Count Da Beans, Schweida has snapped up Ryan Maloney to replace the suspended Wilson-Taylor.

“I’ve got a good record with Ryan and he's won two of his last three rides for me,” Schweida said.

Sailor’s Secret will be second up into his Sunshine Coast assignment after returning from a spell following a close fourth in two-year-old company on the Polytrack at the Sunshine Coast in May.

“His form so far has been okay and I think the form out of his last run will stack up,” Schweida said.

“Flaming Conquest and Steady Ready are both pretty good horses.”

Sailor’s Secret was a $40,000 buy as a yearling and is eligible for the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas over 1400 metres at the Gold Coast in January.

“He’s Magic Millions eligible but for the time being I’d just like to win a Saturday city race with him,” Schweida said.

Schweida has named the Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained Yellow Brick as the main threat to his Better Than Ready gelding.

Yellow Brick relished a heavy track to win his maiden at Ipswich on May 7 before resuming with a last start third to Plundering on another heavy track at the Gold Coast on September 17.