A sparkling track gallop on Thursday has lifted trainer Kelly Doughty’s confidence of Tierqualo going out on a high at Doomben.
Doughty made a late decision to enter Tierqualo for Saturday’s Ownit Homes Handicap (1350m) following the four-year-old’s commanding win over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
“I wasn’t going to run him this weekend and had planned to start him the following week,” Doughty said.
“But when I saw how light on the nominations were for Saturday I changed my mind and threw in a nomination.
“I’m glad I’ve done it as his work on Thursday was first class.”
Doughty is unconcerned about the seven-day back-up for Tierqualo whose only previous attempt ended in failure as a three-year-old.
On that occasion Tierqualo finished with the tailenders in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) won by Rothesay at Eagle Farm in June last year.
It followed his previous start seventh to Girl Hussler in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm a week before.
“I’m not worried about him backing up so quick,” Doughty said.
“His work on Thursday morning was very good and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
“He pulled up very well following last week’s win and I’m very happy with the way he’s come on since.”
Tierqualo has always shown above-average ability and took his record to six wins from 19 starts when he easily accounted for his Eagle Farm rivals last start.
Doughty sent Tierqualo to Sydney for two starts in January when the son of Sequalo was successful at Rosehill on January 15 before going down narrowly when second at Randwick a fortnight later.
However, Doughty has no plans to return interstate for the spring with Tierqualo who is likely to be spelled after this run.
“We thought he would win last week because he’d just been getting beaten from some tricky gates in better company beforehand,” she said.
“I’m sure he’ll be very competitive again but I’ve got no plans to take him back to Sydney.
“He’ll probably spell after this run and I’ll give him a short break before preparing for the Doomben summer series.”
The Doomben summer series begins with the Group Three George Moore Stakes over 1200m in December and also includes the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes over 1350m and the Listed Bernborough Handicap over 1615m.
Doughty is uncertain whether Tierqualo can cope with 1600 metres following his only start over the distance in the Queensland Guineas last year.
“I’m not sure if he can see out 1600 metres but he’s older now,” she said.
AAP TURF
