By Ray Hickson
We’re still a couple of weeks from the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final, but the next few days are shaping as significant for Kim Waugh’s chances in the $1 million race.
The Wyong trainer has already qualified two horses for the April 12 race and Mogul Monarch, her latest qualifier, will round off his build-up in the TAB Handicap (1400m) at Kensington on Wednesday.
Wyong trainer Kim Waugh.Credit: Getty
Then on Saturday, she’ll have Bojangles engaged at Rosehill to top off his preparation and Northern Eyes will attempt to join them in the final via a top-three finish in the wild card on his home track.
Mogul Monarch qualified through the Gosford heat and, while he was beaten into second, Waugh said it was a brave effort.
“I thought it was a really good run, he had to switch back to the inside and change lanes a few times,” she said.
“They all got past him and to fight back and run second it was a really good effort. Once they get a length past you it’s hard to pull that back.”
Anna Roper will take 3kg off the gelding’s 62.5kg impost at what will be his first attempt at the 1400m, something Waugh doesn’t see as an issue.
“The way he’s settling now I think he will be fine, the way he hit the line in that 1200m the other day I was happy,” she said. “He’s just learning all the time, he’s getting better and better.”
Bojangles was runner-up in the first heat at Hawkesbury on February 20 and has since ran a close second to Les Vampires at Rosehill.
That was his first attempt in blinkers, and he’ll contest a Benchmark 88 over 1400m at Rosehill this Saturday where Waugh hopes he can bring an end to a run of back luck with wide barriers.
“His first run with the blinkers the other day I thought was really good,” she said. “He always hits a flat spot around the 600m. He drew terribly so he’s back further than what he needs to be and has to make these really long runs. It takes away his turn of foot.”
Skyhook joins star two-year-olds in heading to the paddock
Skyhook has joined Golden Slipper winner Marhoona and Blue Diamond Stakes champion Devil Night as two-year-olds heading for a spell. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Skyhook, an impressive winner of the Pago Pago Stakes, was seventh in the Golden Slipper last Saturday. His stable informed stewards on Tuesday that the colt was going for a break. Michael Freedman-trained filly Marhoona and the Hawkes team’s Devil night, fifth in the Slipper, did likewise on Monday. The Hayes brothers-trained Tycoon Star, which was 10th in the Slipper, has also been spelled. Kris Lees-trained Rivellino, which came from last to finish fourth in the Slipper, was the $3.50 Sportsbet favourite for the April 5 Inglis Sires at Randwick ahead of Slipper runner-up Wodeton ($4.50).
Craig Kerry
Sargent’s shot at Midway Championship
Randwick trainer John Sargent will take a double shot at the final Provincial-Midway Championship qualifier on Saturday at Wyong with Harlow Mist and French Ruler. Sargent is yet to get a runner through to this year’s $1 million final on April 12 at Randwick, where Harlow Mist and French Ruler were $15 chances with Sportsbet. The wildcard on Saturday is the last chance to make the 15-strong race and offers three spots. Harlow Mist was also nominated for Friday’s Muswellbrook Cup, a Big Dance qualifier, but Sargent said he won’t be sending any runners to that race. “Hopefully they’ve improved with their last run, and it’s a good race to give them a shot at the $1 million,” Sargent said.
Craig Kerry
Best Bets
Race 5 (1) Seascape
Race 7 (3) Peace Officer
Best Value
Race 8 (8) Brutal Bowler
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