A first-up win by Belltone at Eagle Farm on Saturday would surprise Kelso Wood but the trainer has big plans for the sprinter in the future.
Wood, who was discharged from hospital last week following heart surgery, has given Belltone two barrier trials ahead of the six-year-old’s return in Saturday’s Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m).
Belltone has been successful only once from six appearances first-up and is being aimed at next month’s Doomben summer series which begins with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m).
“It’s a hard race and I’m not sure whether he’s spot-on for tomorrow,” Wood said.
“He’s had two barrier trials but I’m not 100 per cent happy with him.
“I was away for a week when I was in hospital having surgery and I’m just not sure if he’s fully wound up.”
Wood is confident the son of Brahms can measure up to the major winter sprints next year including the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.
Belltone went from a maiden to open company with seven wins from eight starts last preparation but hasn’t raced since winning over 1350 metres at Doomben in mid-September.
Jockey Chris Munce also raised some concerns with Belltone after the gelding finished fifth in an 800-metre barrier trial at Doomben on Tuesday.
“He won his first trial at Doomben quite well earlier in the month but he looked a bit disappointing when he was beaten in Tuesday’s trial,” Wood said.
“Chris was a little disappointed at the time but I’m more open minded.”
Meanwhile Caloundra trainer Andrew Williamson believes the time has come for talented sprinter Ready To Rip to stand up in the Keith Noud Quality.
Williamson plans to take on the first two legs of the summer series with Ready To Rip before the Magic Millions Cup (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
Williamson found little fault in Ready To Rip’s last start second to Seek And Find in an unsuitable 1000m sprint at Eagle Farm on November 12.
“It was a good run against a strong field of 1000 metre horses and I thought if he could have got to the outside he would have made the finish a lot more interesting,” Williamson said.
“There’s a lot of trainers who have Stradbroke Handicap ambitions with their horses in this race and I’m one of them.
“I think the Stradbroke would be an ideal race for Ready To Rip but we’ll get the summer races out of the way first.”
Williamson is also looking at an autumn campaign in Sydney next year with Ready To Rip.
“There’s a chance he might go to Sydney for the autumn but he’s got to stand up and put his best foot forward first in tomorrow’s race.”
AAP TURF
