Brisbane’s Golden Rose hopes on track

Queensland’s Golden Rose hopefuls Oink and O’Reilly Cyrus have turned in eye-catching final hit-outs at Doomben.

Oink looks certain to run in the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10 but O’Reilly Cyrus remains on the cusp of getting a start.

While most of their rivals for the Golden Rose raced in three-year-old company in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, Oink and O’Reilly Cyrus raced against older horses.

Oink came from third last at the 600m to run fourth to the flying Land Office, who ran a class record 1:9.1 in a Class 6 Plate (1200m).

“Even though he was right back at the tail of field he was still deep,” trainer Kelly Schweida said.

“I really liked the way he finished off. It was pretty good.”

“The winner ran a second faster than any other horse at 1200 metres on the day so our final sectional would have been very good.”

“I think he will go down for the Rose now but we will make a final decision during the week.

Trainer Liam Birchley was left to rue O’Reilly Cyrus’s habit of getting back in her races after she stormed home for second in a Class 3 Plate.

“O’Reilly Cyrus would have easily broken 34 seconds for her final 600 metres,” he said.

“But she has had to come from second last at the 600 and the winner Monsieur Gustave is very handy and had a big lead on her.

“I am sure she is capable of being closer to the pace in the early stages and the 1400 metres of the Rose and the Rosehill track will be ideal. We just have to get a start.”

“But she picked up prize money and at least we are still in it at this stage.”

The two are among the outsiders for the Golden Rose with Astern assuming favouritism with his win in Saturday’s Run To The Rose at Rosehill.