Tracey Bartley is looking at the real prospect of saddling up three runners in the Provincial Championship Final if Defeat can run up to expectations in Saturday’s Wyong Polytrack Qualifier.
The I’m Invincible gelding resumed in the Gosford Provincial Championship heat and while the run looked disappointing on paper, Bartley believes there were excuses.
He expects the four-year-old to race well and with an ounce of luck join stablemates McCormack and Moana Jewel in the $500,000 Final at Royal Randwick on April 11.
“He’s got ability and I can see him running a race nice,” Bartley said.
“He got knocked over in the running the other day about a furlong and a half from the start and was making room up the running when he got shortened up again.
“It was a much better run then it looked on paper. He certainly deserves another chance.
“He’s won at Wyong and I think the home track is an advantage. He doesn’t mind the sting out of the ground either, and I think he will get that on Saturday.”
Defeat, a $150,000 yearling, has had four wins and a placing from 13 starts. He has tasted success at Newcastle over 1400m and Bartley believes Saturday’s race is an ideal distance.
“He appreciates this distance and if he gets through to the final the 1400m will be no worries.”
Bartley has engaged Grant Buckley to ride the four-year-old, who will start from barrier seven.
“I’d probably prefer him to be taken a bit wider and wouldn’t have been worried if he’d drawn wide. He can work up to them from out there.”
Bartley said McCormack and Moana Jewel were both progressing nicely toward the April 11 final.
“It’s an exciting prospect to have two and possibly three runners in the final. I believe the two that have already qualified are live chances.”
Bartley also saddles up three-year-old All Over Magic in the Class 1 over 1350m.
“I was a bit disappointed with him in his last two runs at Newcastle and Kembla, but I think you will see a vastly improved horse this time.”
The $150,000 Wyong Polytrack Provincial Qualifier has attracted a full field of 16, with four emergencies.
Wyong trainer Kim Waugh is hoping Celer and Oxford Tycoon can progress to Randwick, while Damien Lane and Kristen Buchanan, who both have runners through to the final, have Oakfield Captain and Margie Bee respectively in the race.
Fellow Wyong trainer Jeff Englebrecht saddles up The Crimson Idol.
The first of eight races gets underway at 12.54pm.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.54pm: TWIN LAKES AIR AND SOLAR MAIDEN (1600m): 1 URBINO, 2 Dame Margot, 3 Revellers, 4 Izzat.
Race 2 – 1.34pm: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AIR CONDITIONING AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 AND MAIDEN (2100m): 1 COLONNADE, 2 Elisa Carolina, 3 Tahuna, 4 Encostar Glory.
Race 3 – 2.14pm: LAKE MACQUARIE SHEET METAL MAIDEN (1000m): 1 ZANZIDANCE, 2 Emanate, 3 Red Hot Moon, 4 At The Helm.
Race 4 – 2.54pm: VIETNAM VETERANS HOSTEL 2YO MAIDEN (1200m): 1 ARGENTEUS, 2 O’Tartan Lass, 3 Only Mine, 4 Princess Betty.
Race 5 – 3.34pm: LAKES PODIATRY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 MUCH MUCH BETTER, 2 Derbari, 3 Static, 4 Estroverto.
Race 6 – 4.14pm: PANASONIC AUSTRALIA CLASS 1 (1350m): 1 AYTOBE, 2 Buzz, 3 Earth Song, 4 Lady Tavista.
Race 7 – 4.54pm: NORTHLAKES TOUKLEY ROTARY CLUB CONDITIONAL BM70 (1100m): 1 ICONIC STAR, 2 Rhythmic Pulse, 3 Night Flyer, 4 Upper East Side.
Race 8 – 5.35pm: POLYTRACK PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WYONG QUALIFIER (1350m): 1 OXFORD TYCOON, 2 Bubbles Ball, 3 Esteem Spirit, 4 Celer.
