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 didn’t exactly go to plan … it was still a case of ‘mission accomplished’ when the runners crossed the line.
Now to the next step.
“The original plan was to save Alpine Edge’s 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,” explained Toby Edmonds.
“He has already qualified for the Millions so it doesn’t 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.
“He 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.
“He can win. He is going super and if he brings his trackwork to race-day he will be very competitive.
“He 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.
“He has a sticky draw (seven out of eight). We would like to get cover somewhere. We’ll see how that pans out.
“He did lead last time, but I haven’t trained him or asked him for a speed effort like that.
“Robbie (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.
“It 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).
‘He had horse challenging all around him over the last 200m, but he didn’t 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.
“I thought he waited just a little too long for them to get up to him. It wasn’t 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.
“In 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,” 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 ‘Freezethemillions’ a pointer that you can put the millions on ice … Alpine Edge is coming?
We’ll find out in three weeks time!
