In contrast to her last trip to Queensland, Peace Force has arrived at the Gold Coast fit and well in preparation for her assignment in the $1 million race for Fillies and Mares.
Peace Force was favourite for the Lough Neagh Stakes in early December but injured a leg in a float mishap and needed treatment.
Consequently, she hasn’t raced since November 28 but neither that nor her wide barrier concerns trainer Gerald Ryan.
“She had a float trip to Brisbane and back which is like having two races,” Ryan said.
“She’s arrived this time in good order and I’m not worried about the barrier.
“I had a horse called Play Station who won the Magic Millions Cup equivalent twice from wide barriers over the 1400 metres,” Ryan said.
“The first time he had 16 and won and the next year he had 58-1/2 kilos and won from 10 of 14.
“She will start from 15 if the emergencies don’t run.”
Ryan bypassed the Goldmarket Handicap with Peace Force but still came away with the winner when Bachman took out the Listed race at the Gold Coast last Saturday week.
Two-from-two since a gelding operation, Bachman runs in the Magic Millions Cup from barrier 12 if the first two emergencies don’t start.
“He is very well and has come on since his Goldmarket win,” Ryan said.
While the trainer is not concerned about wide gates, visiting American jockey Johnny Velazquez will have his first experience of the track when he rides the Ryan-trained With Pride in the 1200m-maiden from 15.
Velazquez will also be aboard the Ryan-trained three-year-old King’s Troop in the Magic Millions Sprint (1100m).
