Oink to be aimed at Brisbane winter
The depth of three-year-old talent in Sydney has trainer Kelly Schweida targeting races at home in Brisbane with Oink.
Schweida has a high opinion of Oink who he believes with maturity can be a stakes performer.
He took Oink to Sydney in September where he ran 11th in the Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill.
Oink, who is raced by a syndicate which includes members of the late jockey Tim Bell’s family, has his first run since the Golden Rose in Saturday’s Three-Year-Old (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
“It is a very strong crop of three-year-olds in Brisbane at the moment. Saturday’s race has a lot of depth and chances,” Schweida said.
“But they are really good down there (Sydney). With a horse like Oink he will tell you where you should go. It isn’t much use if he isn’t firing at his top to go down there.”
“He will improve and I am sure he will eventually be up to that class.”
A Group Three placegetter, Oink is the $4.40 second favourite on Saturday behind Ringo’s A Rockstar ($4).
Schweida said Oink would probably have a couple of runs in the summer then be aimed at the Brisbane winter carnival with the Queensland Guineas over 1600m a target.
The trainer has his fingers crossed for a continuing dry track for L’Entrecote and Ruling Force in Saturday’s Open Hcp (1600m).
L’Entrecote will be having his ninth start this campaign and has been consistent with two wins, two thirds and two fourths.
“He goes best when he is drawn near the fence and he has barrier two on Saturday. He goes well for Damian Browne who will ride him. All we want is a dry track,” Schweida said.
He said Ruling Force, last season’s Rockhampton Cup winner, also had been hampered by wet tracks.