Helen Page has taken over the training of Adorabeel for some long-time clients as the former Sydney mare tries to add to her stakes record over the upcoming Queensland carnival.
Adorabeel was originally trained by the late Guy Walter and then by Joe Pride who prepared her to win last year’s Group Three Aspiration Quality.
Adorabeel
Pride took her to Brisbane where she ran seventh over 2020m at Doomben on March 26 before being transferred to the Gold Coast-based Page.
She will have her first start for the stable in Saturday’s Listed Tails Quality (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast.
Adorabeel is raced by the Cook family who also owned the Page-trained 2004 Golden Rose winner Doonan.
“I have had a lot of very nice horses for them including Doonan,” Page said.
“They have been great supporters of mine.”
“We have given Adorabeel a freshen-up so she is back to the 1600 metres.
“We will be able to make a decision on which way to go after Saturday.
“She has won from 1200 to 1800 metres and on dry and wet tracks which means there is a bit around for her in the winter.
“Adorabeel drops down in the weights, has the top jockey from barrier one so we have a few things in our favour on Saturday.”
Jim Byrne rides Adorabeel who carries 54kg compared to 57kg at her most recent start.
She is at $8 with Sir Moments the TAB’s $2.80 favourite.
Another former Sydneysider, Frespanol, makes his debut for the Tony Gollan stable in the Listed Ascot Hcp (1200m).
“Frespanol owes me a win because he beat my horse Tornado Miss in the Spear Chief Quality last winter,” Gollan said.
“But it might not be on Saturday which could be a bit short for him.”
“Frespanol probably isn’t up to the races like the Stradbroke but there are plenty of others such as the Wayne Wilson and BRC Sprint.”
The ex-Gai Waterhouse-trained gelding will be having his first start since he was unplaced in the Villiers Stakes in December.
