The B. J. McLachlan Stakes, an important two-year-old race at set weights which will be contested at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day. has attracted a field of eight runners which includes the Toby and Trent Edmonds trained Alpine Edge, whose performance will be watched with keen interest locally as he currently is the shortest priced Queensland based runner for the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic on January 16.
Alpine Edge has only had one start to date ⊠a winning effort when stepping straight into Listed company and, although the in-running script on that occasion didnât exactly go to plan ⊠it was still a case of âmission accomplishedâ when the runners crossed the line.
Now to the next step.
âThe original plan was to save Alpine Edgeâs next run for the week before Magic Millions and follow the route we did with Houtzen, but instead we have now decided to run him on Boxing Day in the BJ McLachlan Stakes,â explained Toby Edmonds.
âHe has already qualified for the Millions so it doesnât matter whether we win, lose or draw in his next start which will be more about his education rather than the result. Watching his replay the other day (from the debut win), he changed strides right before the line and he did it in his trial as well.
âHe will be better for that experience, but the focus for this run will be all about him learning more race craft and getting used to a little bit more pressure in a better quality race.
âHe can win. He is going super and if he brings his trackwork to race-day he will be very competitive.
âHe has a beautiful temperament. He is so quiet generally, but I think he will be a little bit more switched on this week ⊠which he has been at home, and his work indicates that as well.
âHe has a sticky draw (seven out of eight). We would like to get cover somewhere. Weâll see how that pans out.
âHe did lead last time, but I havenât trained him or asked him for a speed effort like that.
âRobbie (Fradd) did it in a trail (the second trail of his career which Alpine Edge won on December 1 before making his debut). In the first trial (on November 16) Jimmy (Byrne) rode him quietly at home. It was a really soft trial, so he is quite push button.
âIt surprised me when he jumped into the bridle the other day on debut in the Phelan Ready. I think the speed horse in the race ⊠Baby Wong ⊠made a mistake and we ended up in front. Plus, we had the rail (from barrier 1).
âHe had horse challenging all around him over the last 200m, but he didnât blink. I thought Robbie was a little bit kind to him in the early part of the straight. He probably should have let him rip and worried about the other stuff after that.
âI thought he waited just a little too long for them to get up to him. It wasnât critical but, if he had his time again, I think he would have let him rip at the 300m mark ⊠you know, put a couple of lengths on them and let them try and chase him down.
âIn the end, Robbie and Alpine Edge got the job done which was good and I think the horse has got a lot more to offer,â concluded Edmonds.
And, if you want find a tip hidden in fine print heading for Magic Millions day, have a look at the name of the dam of Alpine Edge.
Is âFreezethemillionsâ a pointer that you can put the millions on ice ⊠Alpine Edge is coming?
Weâll find out in three weeks time!
