Trainer Grahame Begg is hoping to enhance the chances of gaining a start with Chillies in the Queensland Derby via three-year-old race at Ipswich.
A last start third in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Anzac Day, Chillies runs in the Seven QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (2180m) on Thursday.
Begg conceded Chillies probably needs to win on Thursday to get his rating up to gain a start in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week.
“He’d have to win to get his rating up enough for the Derby,” Begg said.
“But there was another round of acceptances this morning, so a few would have gone by the wayside I would think.
“I thought this was a suitable lead up race, but there is the curveball of the heavy track.
“The meeting was meant to be on today (Wednesday), but it has been moved to Thursday and it’s on a Heavy 10, plus we’ve drawn out in 15 and the rail is out 6-½ metres, so it’s not going to be an easy task.
“I wish they had moved it to the Sunshine Coast and run it on the Polytrack.”
Begg said Chillies travelled up to Brisbane last week and had settled in well to his new surrounds at Eagle Farm.
The majority of Chillies’ opposition are stepping up in trip and Begg is hoping the race turns into a slog after the Ipswich track was deluged with 92mm of rain.
“One thing I do know is he’ll handle the distance,” Begg said.
“I’m not sure about the surface, but funnily enough at Cranbourne two starts back, it poured when his race was run and the track deteriorated and he ran quite well.
“He’s coming back from 2800 metres to 2200 metres and against the locals up there he might be the strongest, especially being the last race and it turns into a slog.”
