Impressive galloper Craftiness is set to continue a successful formula for Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride at Doomben on Saturday.
Pride is an occasional Brisbane visitor away from the winter carnival but he has used those trips as a perfect resource to judge a horse’s ability.
His galloper Tiger Tees won the Falvelon Stakes in Brisbane before going on to win the Group One Galaxy Stakes last year.
Another of his horses Diamond Oasis ran second at Doomben before winning his next three starts at Warwick Farm, Moonee Valley and Canberra.
Pride has high hopes for Craftiness who has won five of his six race starts and was second at the other.
Craftiness has drawn the ideal barrier two in the Last Stand Open (1050m) at Doomben on Saturday.
At this stage Craftiness will be having only the one Brisbane run before returning to Sydney for the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick on April 18.
However, Pride is aiming Craftiness at some of the better sprints during the winter carnival including the $2 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap.
“Craftiness has won a trial leading into this race and I am testing the water with him for the Brisbane winter carnival,” Pride said.
“It really will be a good test because the northern rivers horse (Lucky Meteor) looks smart and there are a couple of other tough Brisbane sprinters in the race,” Pride said.
Meanwhile, boom Sydney apprentice Winona Costin will ride one of Craftiness’ main rivals in Newcastle sprinter Senta De Noche.
Costin, who can claim 2kg in the metropolitan area, has ridden 28 metropolitan winners in Sydney this season.
She has picked up six rides at Doomben on Saturday and will ride more in the north while the senior jockeys take centre stage in the Sydney carnival.
Meanwhile, former leading Brisbane apprentice Aidan Holt makes his return to metropolitan racing on likely favourite Sir Moments in the Canadian Club Open (1350m).
Holt quit riding in June last year and his weight bloomed to 70kg before he decided to make a comeback after Christmas.
