Staying test for La Spiagga
In-form trainer Toby Edmonds is as much in the dark as anyone about whether La Spiagga will run a strong 2200 metres at Eagle Farm.
La Spiagga has been in top form with an Eagle Farm third at 1800m in between Doomben wins at 2000m and 2020m at his past three starts.
The gelding steps up to 2200m for the first time in Saturday’s Driver Recruitment Open at Eagle Farm.
Edmonds has always had a question mark on La Spiagga at further than 2000m but believes the gelding has been in such good form he deserves a chance at the longer distance.
“He was strong at the end of his 2000 metre wins and he can race on the pace here in a race where there doesn’t look to be a lot of speed,” Edmonds said.
“There are a lot of open 2200 metre races in Brisbane and if he shows us he can handle the trip it opens up his options.”
Edmonds has a strong hand in the other open handicap with Prompt Return in the DPMA Hcp (1000m).
Prompt Return had little luck when unplaced behind Londehero at Eagle Farm three weeks ago but he previously won and was second at Doomben.
“He is down on the minimum weight but might need some luck from barrier eight. It looks one of the stronger opens in recent weeks,” Edmonds said.
The Gold Coast trainer can further cement his association with owner Stuart Ramsay when stakes placegetter Better Land makes his debut for the stable in a Class 3 Plate.
Better Land, who was originally trained by Peter Moody, was second to Scissor Kick in the 2014 Listed Rosebud at Randwick at his second race start.
But he has never lived up to that form and is still eligible for Brisbane restricted class.
“He has had two Gold Coast trials and won the second one so we will see what he can do on race day,” Edmonds said.
Edmonds has had a great start to the new season with 20 overall winners and 14 in Brisbane which puts him third on the metropolitan premiership.