Queensland Guineas Focus For Gotta Kiss
The Queensland Guineas will be the winter carnival goal for luckless filly Gotta Kiss.
The three-year-old returned to the stables of Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted on Monday.
“She’s had a bit of time off after the Magic Millions and has just finished some pre-training out at Kolora Lodge,” Hoysted said.
Gotta Kiss will be given a steady build up before she is aimed at the winter carnival where the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm will be her primary focus.
The filly completed her summer carnival campaign with an unlucky fifth to Aim in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 16 after being held up on the home turn and losing momentum.
Eagle Farm’s 1200 metre track record holder Kisukano will trial at Toowoomba on Tuesday in preparation for her return to racing.
Trainer Michael Nolan has pencilled in The Jewel 3YO Prelude (1110m) at Doomben on February 27 for Kisukano.
The filly was spelled after finishing a disappointing eighth to Athiri in the Nudgee Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on January 2, the first unplaced effort of her career.
If Kisukano produces her best form at her comeback run, Nolan will aim the filly at The Jewel 3YO (1200m) at the Gold Coast on March 13.
Meanwhile, cult hero The Harrovian will bypass Saturday’s blockbuster renewal of the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield to be saved for a race at Flemington the following week.
The Futurity had been on The Harrovian’s radar but he was not among the original nominations on Monday.
Trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds indicated they were warming to a start in the Group Three Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington seven days later.
“We thought it might be a softer option than the Group One and the other advantage is it gives us a two-week lead in to the All-Star Mile,” Toby Edmonds said.
The Harrovian finished second in a Sunshine Coast barrier trial over 1000 metres before being flown to Melbourne for his southern campaign.