Two of our more promising Queensland three-year-olds feature in the week ahead.
The Steve O’Dea-trained FRANCISCA (pictured) kicks off her summer preparation in the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday while stablemate SCALLOPINI will look to replicate his impressive first-up win in the BM62 Handicap (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast on Boxing Day.
In Sydney, GAMBLESTOWN will have blinkers on in the 1400m Open Handicap at Warwick Farm on Saturday for Joe Pride. THE EXCHEQUER, another Pride runner, will chase his maiden win on the same day at Newcastle over 1200m.
Proven Thoroughbreds’ other Saturday runner will be also be at Newcastle, the John Thompson-trained GREENSPAN in the 1600m maiden.
Boxing Day sees LAST WISH contest the 2400m BM85 Handicap at Randwick, the same race won by Proven Thoroughbreds’ THEWAYWEARE 12 months ago.
Accompanying SCALLOPINI at the Sunshine Coast Boxing Day meeting will be stablemates BLONDE BY CHOICE and CHOREOGRAPH, both entered for 1400m maidens.
Then at Gosford on Thursday, the Thompson-trained BLANCO CARA lines up in the 1900m Class 2 Handicap while TAMARACK, from the Pride stable, runs in the 1200m Class 2 Handicap at Canberra 24 hours later.