Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are hoping it will be third time’s a charm with Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) when he lines-up in the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The son of Proisir has raced over a mile on two previous occasions, where he was runner-up behind Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) and Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) and Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) respectively.
Both horses have gone on to win at elite-level in Australia and Waitak’s connections are hoping he can bring that form this weekend.
Waitak finished fifth in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) first-up in Australia a fortnight ago and O’Sullivan has been pleased with his progress since that run.
“He lost a bit of luck, but I thought the horse ran really well,” O’Sullivan said.
“It is a pretty good field, but we are happy with the way he is going.
“We don’t doubt the horse’s ability. If he gets it right on the day, he is going to run well.”
The Group One performer could be in for an exciting next month as he prepares for a couple of other Queensland features.
“We are just one race at a time,” O’Sullivan said.
“He will go from here to the Grand Prix (Gr.3, 2200m). If he is still going well, he will more than likely go to the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).”
O’Sullivan is also looking forward to lining up Dragon Leap (Pierro) at Eagle Farm fresh-up in the Gr.2 Victory Stakes (1200m) against some strong opposition.
“He is in a hot field, but he is sound and well, and when he is like that he runs accordingly,” O’Sullivan said.
“We won’t be surprised if he puts in a really good performance.”
Prior to Saturday’s feature meeting, Wexford Stables will head to Ipswich on Friday where Cours Vite (NZ) (Almanzor) will attempt to break maiden ranks in his 1700m event.
“He has shown good form, so we thought why not take him over and take a crack,” O’Sullivan said.
“He is going to need a fair bit of luck from that gate (10).”
Back home in New Zealand, the Matamata barn will head to Te Rapa on Saturday where Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) will contest the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m).
“It is a little bit of an unknown running 2000m, but we can’t fault her condition, she looks well,” O’Sullivan said.
“Her work hasn’t been outstanding, but it has been pretty even work, but running over 2000m, we will just have to wait and see.”
