A clean sweep of the major juvenile races in Queensland awaits star Queensland youngster Sizzling following his spectacular win in the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben.
Sizzling ($1.55 fav) stormed home from near the rear of the field to overpower Darley runner Academus ($8) by a short head in Saturday’s 1200m feature.
Early leader Dances On Stars ($8) fought on well to finish a further three-quarters of a length away third.
Sizzling followed up his win in the Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast last start with another superb performance after appearing to be in some trouble on the home turn.
Jockey Chris Munce never doubted Sizzling had enough firepower to delay his winning move until after the field straightened.
“I was a bit worried at the top of the straight but then he was a lot closer today than what he was at the Gold Coast,” winning trainer Kelso Wood said.
Wood will now aim Sizzling at the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in a fortnight before the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) on the same track a week later.
“His next run over 1400 metres in the Sires’ is going to be right up his alley,” Wood said.’
“I’m excited about it and he’ll then go onto the mile race in the TJ Smith.”
Trainer Peter Snowden offered no excuses for the defeat of Academus who looked to have the race won before Sizzling let loose.
“I was happy with that run,” Snowden said.
“He’s going fine and he’s on track for the Sires’ and then the TJ (Smith).”
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was pleased with Academus’s run and said he believed he would be better suited over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm.
Academus was having only his second race start following his unlucky second on debut at Hawkesbury on May 5.
Trainer Gerald Ryan isn’t throwing in the towel with Dances On Stars against Sizzling when they meet next in the Sires’ Produce.
Glyn Schofield took Dances On Stars to the front when the speed slackened in the early stages.
“That’s not the way to ride this horse. I don’t think he’s a frontrunner,” Ryan said.
“The other two were too good for him today but he’ll go on to the Sires.
“I’m still undecided about the TJ Smith and I’ll see how he goes next run before making a decision.”
