Promising three-year-old Cruze begins a consolation campaign at the Gold Coast after failing to get enough prize money to make the Magic Millions Guineas.
Trainer Barry Lockwood was hoping to qualify Cruze for the Guineas in last Saturday’s Group Three Vo Rogue Plate but the gelding was first emergency and missed a run.
“It was a pity because the way the Vo Rogue turned out he would have been right there on the pace with a real chance,” Lockwood said.
“He was very good winning first-up at Doomben and I really thought he had a chance in the Vo Rogue. It isn’t often there isn’t any scratchings in a big race but that is the way it turned out.”
Lockwood entered Cruze for the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) and the Class Six Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday but decided to go with the latter.
“It was a toss-up which way to go. I am mainly worried about the weather and where he drew. He got barrier one in the Class Six and has only 53 kilos,” Lockwood said.
“But this is the place he can start to have a relatively easy summer. He can potter around and then we can put him away for the winter carnival.”
Lockwood had hoped to run Cruze in last season’s Group One J J Atkins Stakes but after he failed in Sydney he scrapped those plans.
The popular Eagle Farm trainer has been having a good run and had a double at Doomben on Wednesday with Godzone Girl and Miss Kindilan.
Lockwood is looking for another restricted class race for promising filly Show Us Ya Diamonds.
She was set to race at Beaudesert on Monday but the meeting was washed out.
Show Us Ya Diamonds is a sister to the Lockwood-trained speedster Tumbler, the winner of seven of her 10 starts.
