Tough gelding Chivadahlii, who left Brisbane with a country career ahead of him, returns to Doomben as a potential staying star.
Chivadahlii has been much-travelled, starting his career in NSW country areas before a stint in Victoria.
He then had a campaign with Brian Smith at Eagle Farm before joining trainer Jamie McConachy at Rockhampton.
McConachy decided to try him as a middle distance horse and Chivadahlii hasn’t looked back.
The gelding won the Townsville Cup (2000m) before going further north to win the Cairns Cup (2100m) in August.
Along the way he won a weight-for-age race in Townsville over 2000m.
“Robert Thompson rode him for me in the Cairns Cup and was impressed,” McConachy said.
“He thought Chivadahlii would run 2400 to 3200 metres.”
Middle distance races are limited in Queensland country areas so McConachy has headed to Brisbane.
Chivadahlii was run off his feet over 1200m at Rockhampton first-up but was a close up at the Sunshine Coast three weeks ago in 1400m race.
Chivadhalii will step up to 1630m in the Open Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
“It looks an ideal stepping stone to running him over further in Brisbane,”McConachy said.
“There are plenty of staying races in Brisbane and he is eligible for benchmarks as well as open company races.”
In-form Brad Stewart, who has a long association with McConachy, will ride Chivadahlii on Saturday.
“Brad has ridden a lot of winner for me and it is always good to get him,” McConachy said.
