New rich series attracts a big field to Caloundra

By Jordan Gerrans

Fastheartbeat’s connections thought there must have been a mistake when they were searching for a Class 1 race to tackle following the speedy gelding’s Ipswich maiden triumph earlier this month.

The three-year-old grabbed his first career victory over the short 800 metre trip at the Bundamba-based track in the middle of September at just his second career start.

With an ownership group of 10 in the Scott Morrisey-trained galloper, they all went looking for a suitable assignment following the maiden win.

They landed on a 1000 metre $100,000 Class 1 event at Caloundra on the last Friday of the month.

There was one problem - they did not believe those kind of stakes would be on offer under lights at Caloundra at a provincial meeting.

Morrisey received a screen shot of the race via text from the owners and while he did not know much about the potential race, he told them he would happily look into it.

The Gold Coast-based Morrisey quickly informed his crew of owners that there was no mistake and he would gladly make the trip north for the rich race.

The 1000 metre $100,000 Class 1 event at Caloundra on Friday is the first leg of the new Sunshine Coast Turf Club Friday night racing season.

The highlight of the season is the TAB 100's and 1000's race series, featuring seven $100,000 1000 metre races scheduled over seven Friday night meetings.

Morrisey’s Fastheartbeat will line-up from gate nine in the opening race of the series.

“It is worth having a go at the race, it is a very strong Class 1 because of the prize money,” the Aquis Park trainer said.

“You do not get an opportunity like this very often to have a throw at the stumps at that sort of money in a Class 1.”

Sunshine Coast Turf Club CEO John Miller believes the rich races on offer will be a boost for the Friday night’s programs across the summer.

"This year's Friday night racing promises a cracking start to the weekend for racegoers with the addition of these on-track initiatives," Miller said.

The leading trainer of the series will have a chance to win a trip for two to the prestigious 2024 Melbourne Cup, complete with exclusive hospitality in the TAB Marquee in the Birdcage.

The first race of the series attracted 24 acceptors, with 16 to eventually face the starter on Friday evening under lights.

Morrisey’s gelding broke his maiden status at Ipswich a fortnight ago, leading all the way to claim a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 800 metres by almost a length.

Hoop Georgina Cartwright was able to cross the field from a middle gate in the early stages as Fastheartbeat showed plenty of early toe.

“He is a horse that has a lot of ability but I still think he could have some kind of wind issue,” Morrisey said.

“He is better at the shorter distances, that is for sure. The 1000 metres is as far as he will go at this stage.

“He is much more comfortable over those shorter trips. He has a lot of ability and if he can run the 1000 metres, he will be competitive.”

After drawing nine, Morrisey anticipates Cartwright will again use Fastheartbeat’s greatest asset and head to the front on Friday evening.

“He has got a lot of speed and we will use that again,” the Gold Coast-based horseman said.

“Georgina and I have had a lot of luck together as she always tries to do what she is told.

“With a horse like him, he has to roll along – you cannot grab him – you just need to handlebars down and use his speed, which we will do. She always tries Plan A first, Georgina.”

The Morrisey stable have struck a purple patch of form, preparing three winners in the last fortnight, all of which have come at Ipswich.

Toolatemate from the team finished second at Ipswich on Wednesday with the trainer declaring the gelding will be a nice stayer over time.

The stable have three entered for Saturday’s city races in Brisbane, as well.