A Stradbroke Handicap penalty for QTC Cup winner Celtic Dancer has all but ended Sydney three-year-old Mental’s chances of running in the $1 million sprint.
Celtic Dancer earned an extra 0.5kg for his all-the-way QTC Cup win and the Noel Doyle-trained sprinter will now carry 52.5kg in the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The four-year-old has been promoted to 19th in Monday’s revised Stradbroke order of entry but with Neeson already a confirmed non-runner, Celtic Dancer is assured of a start.
His elevation into the field has pushed one-time favourite Mental down to 24th and it seems the Darley galloper will be left to fill one of the four emergency spots.
Mental was on a virtual do-or-die Stradbroke mission in the Queensland Guineas on Saturday but finished out of the placings.
Gold Coast-based Doyle, who went close to Stradbroke glory with Don’t Play more than 20 years ago, was delighted to learn Celtic Dancer had scraped into the field.
“He is definitely going to run but I haven’t confirmed a rider yet,” Doyle said.
“It’s nice to be in it, especially when we thought we weren’t going to make it.
“The last time I had a runner, I think it was Kinjite (in 1992).
“He wasn’t up to it on the day but I did finish second in 1989 with a little horse called Don’t Play.
“Everyone on course bar the judge thought he had won.”
Celtic Dancer confirmed his preference for rain-affected going with his QTC Cup victory and Doyle wants Brisbane’s wet weather to continue.
“I would like to see the rain hang around for a bit longer,” Doyle said.
“He’s quite effective on top of the ground but a wet track does give him an edge.”
Celtic Dancer is a $31 Stradbroke chance while Mental has eased to share the second line of betting at $8 with Buffering and Tiger Tees.
BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000 winner Sea Siren continues to head Stradbroke markets despite doubts about her taking her place in the field.
She held her place as a $5.50 market leader on Monday with some corporate bookmakers reporting consistent interest in the three-year-old filly.
A track gallop either on Tuesday or Wednesday will decide her Stradbroke fate with trainer John O’Shea adamant it will be owner Keith Biggs who makes the final decision.
With two-time winner Black Piranha sidelined, Stradbroke weights will be raised 1kg at acceptance time on Wednesday to ensure new topweight Buffering carries the mandatory 58kg.
It will mean Sea Siren will have to set a weight-carrying record for a three-year-old filly with 55kg.
