Hoysted happy with Chaillot ahead of Sunshine Coast Cup
Matthew Hoysted could not be happier with Chaillot’s work on the track heading into the Sunshine Coast Cup on Saturday.
Hoysted and co-trainer Steven O’Dea believe the six-year-old will prove to be a good acquisition for their stable, the mare to start her first race for them in the Listed feature worth $150,000 and over 1400m.
She goes in as the $4.20 favourite from barrier six with Ben Thompson to ride her.
Chaillot fought hard to beat three home in her last start, the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on October 29.
She also finished second to stablemate Tumbler Ridge – a $4.60 chance in the same race this weekend – in a 1000m trial at Doomben on January 17.
“She’s a serious horse who Archie Alexander had early in her career,” Hoysted told Racing Queensland.
“She’s been around the mark in Group 1 races and had really good form early on, and is a dual stakes winner.
“Trilogy bought her and gave her a couple of runs with Mick Price before she came up here.
“She’ll only have the one run before we put her away for the winter and aim for a race like the Tatts Tiara.”
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Hoysted said he was also pleased with how Tumbler Ridge was looking in work, the five-year-old stallion also first-up on Saturday.
He won the last two starts in his most recent preparation – the Doomben Mile on September 10 and an open handicap over 1350m at the same venue on August 20.
Boris Thornton was aboard in both those victories, and he will again ride the sprinter on Saturday.
“He’s first-up as well, but he’s trialled up well and had a jumpout,” Hoysted said.
“And this is a race we targeted with him, as he goes well fresh.
“He’s going super and we couldn’t be any happier with him, and he’s near where he needs to be first-up.
“He’s never won a stakes race yet.”
Five-year-old gelding Namazu resumes as a $13 winning chance in the Sunshine Coast Cup.
He finished third in his last race, the Cairns Amateur Cup over 2100m, on September 10, and this will be his first start for O’Dea and Hoysted.
“Namazu has been super impressive since he’s come into the stable, but he hasn’t raced for a while and might need it further,” Hoysted said.