Punters and racegoers are one step closer to making their Weetwood and Toowoomba Cup selections after the finals fields and barrier draws were completed today for Saturday’s gala Clifford Park race day.
The Audi Centre Toowoomba (Listed) Weetwood Handicap and TAB Toowoomba Cup headline the nine-event Spring card of racing, also featuring the Magic Millions Garden City Guineas and Toowoomba Truck Spares Pat O’Shea Plate.
Clifford Park bookmaker Pat Kynoch is now gearing for punters to zero in on their feature selections after this morning’s public Weetwood and Cup barrier draws lifted the spirits of some supporters and dented the hopes of others.
Pat installed Desert Lord an easing $3.80 Weetwood favourite after the Sunshine Coast gelding drew barrier 14, while Caloundra stayer Wapiti is Pat’s early $3.00 Cup favourite.
But while both will have their share of supporters, Pat expects punters – big and small – will warm to Apache Chase ($4.60) in the Weetwood, while Champagne Aunty ($4.40) looks likely to have an army of Cup admirers.
“The cup was not affected dramatically by the draw, and I’ve got Wapiti on top early at $3.00,” Pat said.
“It’s an interesting, even field, but I expect Champagne Aunty to be the one a lot of punters will want because of the Steve Tregea factor.
“Steve is having a marvellous run with his horse at present and it will be no surprise to see Champagne Aunty continue that on Saturday.
“I’ve still got Desert Lord as favourite in the Weetwood at this stage, despite him drawing poorly.
“Michael Cahill will have the job of overcoming that and Desert Lord has the chance of maybe giving trainer David Vandkye a shot at the feature double if he could win the Cup with Dissolution.
“I can’t recall any stable winning the feature double since the Cup and Weetwood were moved to the same day.
“The one I’m cautious of now in the Weetwood is Apache Chase.
“I moved him into $4.60 from $5.00 after he drew nicely in barrier three and I expect he’ll be very easy to lay on the day.”
Pat Kynoch’s early Weetwood market: 3.80 Desert Lord, 4.20 Soxagon, 4.60 Apache Chase, 7.50 You Make Me Smile, 21.00 Macewen, Royal Hale, Junction, 24.00 Tycoon Ace, 26.00 Tambo’s Mate, 41.00 Flash Aah, Rhyme Nor Rhythm, 51.00 Tactical Advantage, 61.00 Snitch, Prioritise, 101.00 Red Stina, Cruze, Iced, Mount Horeb, The Hand.
Toowoomba Cup: 3.00 Wapiti, 4.40 Champagne Aunty, 5.00 Honorable Spirit, 10.00 Dissolution, 12.00 He Runs Away, Sokudo, 15.00 Stardome, 17.00 Zigallene, 21.00 Lunasnit, 34.00 Unbiased, Bering Sea, Maevila Ruler, 51.00 Chocolatier.
By Glen McCullough
