Business as usual for Neasham at Doomben

By Glenn Davis

Annabel Neasham may have more Group 1 ambitions in Sydney on her mind, but it will be business as usual for her Queensland stable at Doomben on Wednesday. 

Neasham has a great chance of claiming her first $5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday week following the win of unbeaten filly Learning To Fly in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The daughter of Justify is a $4.50 second favourite in latest TAB markets for the world's richest two-year-old race behind Godolphin’s Cylinder, who is the new $3.50 favourite, after claiming Saturday's Group 2 Todman Stakes.

At Doomben, the Neasham stable is confident Ghostwriter will be back in the good books with punters when the gelding starts in the Class 5 Handicap over 1650 metres.

Four-year-old Ghostwriter has been a punters nightmare, winning three of his 18 starts, while running a frustrating nine placings.

The son of I Am Invincible won a 1660 metre Class 5 race at Doomben on February 1 before another second behind the Jack Bruce-trained Hokahey in a 1640 metre Class 4 event at the same venue two weeks later.

“He’s been very consistent but a little frustrating as well with all the placings he’s had,” Neasham's stable manager Todd Pollard said.

“Ideally, we didn’t want to lead on him last start as he switches off when he gets to the front.

“Hokahey had the drag on him last run and had a four kilogram advantage and went past him like he was standing still.

“He’s a bit of a lazy horse and needs blinkers to do his best but he should be hard to beat again.”

Neasham ordered a freshen up for Ghostwriter following his latest defeat and the stable is confident he’ll bounce back.

“He had a bit of time off after his last run and was on the water walker but he had a good hit out on the course proper at Eagle Farm on Saturday,” Pollard said.

“I was worried Hokahey would run again but Jack Bruce hasn’t accepted with her this time.

“I thought the weights might have gone up without her but luckily Rule The Word accepted and has got 59kgs.”

Neasham has retained jockey Brodie Loy to again partner Ghostwriter.