A couple of disappointing recent efforts have persuaded trainer Bryan Guy to bring classy filly Stroak back in distance at Doomben.
Guy has always had a high opinion of Stroak and toyed with running her in Saturday’s Listed Nudgee Quality but has opted to keep her against her own age group over 1110 metres.
Stroak won two races as an early two-year-old and was runner-up in the Group Three Bruce McLachlan behind Unencumbered before finishing fifth to that colt in the Magic Millions Classic.
She failed to fire in the winter but returned this season with a win at the Gold Coast over 1200m before an unlucky third in the Listed Gold Edition Plate over the same distance.
However, at her next two starts Stroak was well beaten in the Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) and the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) both at the Gold Coast.
“Maybe she wasn’t suited by the track conditions at the two Gold Coast runs. But I just have a little niggle that she might simply be a 1200 metre horse who at this stage of her career can’t get 1400,” Guy said.
“She has shown a liking for Doomben when the pace is on early and we should get that on Saturday.”
Apprentice Janette Johnson will ride Stroak and reduce the filly’s weight to 54kg.
“She does look well in at the weights so we will get a real idea about her after Saturday,” Guy said.
