Brandenburg back in form ahead of Queensland trip

Brandenburg hadn’t won since he claimed the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) in 2019.

The son of Burgundy was able to show his class, winning the $500,000 feature by 0.62 lengths.

John Sargent had previously announced he was taking Brandenburg to the Group 2 A.D Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast but was very happy with his decision to race him in The Coast.

“It was good to see him back after a couple of unlucky runs this time in,” he said.

“I was on the ballot there (for the Hollindale Stakes) so I thought ‘I can’t afford to go up there and not have a run because then it’s a month into the Doomben Cup so it worked out perfectly.

“I know what he can do so it was good to see him get back to that and onwards and upwards.”

Brandenburg sat midfield after jumping from the widest gate, with Sargent informing stewards of his intentions to have the gelding settle in a more prominent position.

He was able to get to the best part of the track down the straight and give Regan Bayliss a win from his only ride on the day.

Queensland now awaits the four-year-old, with the Doomben Cup and The Q22 his targets, before heading for a break.

Sargent says the son of Burgundy will need to bring his best to be competitive in the Sunshine State.

“He’ll need that A-game to come up to Queensland because it’s going to be a lot stronger up there,” he said.

“It (The Coast win) just shows you that he’ll be getting back to the form that he was when he was running in the Doncaster.

“He’ll head up there Wednesday week, and then run in that (the Doomben Cup) and three weeks later he’ll run in the Q22. Then he’ll spell probably just three weeks and then get ready for Melbourne he’ll be aiming for in the spring.”

Sargent also has plans for Emeralds to travel race over the Queensland winter carnival.

The daughter of Sebring hasn’t been seen since she finished 13th in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.

The Randwick-based trainer has nominated her for the Stradbroke Handicap, but says she’s more likely to head towards the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara.

“I put a nom in (for the Stradbroke Handicap) but she’ll probably go fresh-up into the Tatts Tiara,” he said.”I gave her a bit of a let-up, three weeks out after her last run. It just wasn’t as good as I thought it’d be and she’s come in a lot better, she’ll be just nice.

“I think she’ll run well up in Queensland fresh.”