Doomben 10,000 start for Azkadellia
Trainer Ciaron Maher has no concerns about a firm track for Azkadellia in the Doomben 10,000, confirming the favourite will take her place in the Group One sprint.
The Caulfield trainer said a look at the likely make-up of Saturday’s field had convinced him to give her a chance at the 10,000-Stradbroke double.
“The way she is doing it will be pretty nice timing to have her right for the Stradbroke,” Maher told Melbourne radio station RSN.
“I think a run two weeks out will only bring her on.”
Azkadellia is the $2.80 favourite for the Doomben 10,000 over Fell Swoop at $5 with Delectation, Dothraki and Music Magnate all at $5.50.
After finishing third behind Winx and Happy Clapper in the Doncaster at Randwick last month, Azkadellia went on to win the Queen Of The Turf Stakes on soft ground a week later.
“The tracks (in Brisbane) don’t get as firm as they get down home,” Maher said.
“They’re older, more consolidated tracks and they’ve had a bit of racing on them and I think it’s a different type of firm.
“She’s galloped on it (Doomben) Tuesday week ago and let down quite nicely.”
Mark Zahra will ride Azkadellia on Saturday with suspensions ruling out both Damien Oliver and Nick Hall.
Azkadellia’s main target is the Stradbroke Handicap which Maher won last year with Srikandi.
The Stradbroke will be run on the newly renovated Eagle Farm track which Azkadellia tested in a trial last week.
“She seemed to enjoy that as there was a little bit more give in it,” Maher said.
Azkadellia also holds Stradbroke favouritism at $4.40 over Saturday’s Goodwood winner Black Heart Bart at $5.50.
Counterattack, Malaguerra and Under The Louvre are on the next line at $9.
Eagle Farm reopens for racing with the Queensland Oaks meeting on June 4.