Kelly Doughty is hopeful Flamboyer can erase the hoodoo
Trainer Kelly Doughty believes tough galloper Flamboyer has more than a few things in his favour as he attempts to break his run of outs over the 1350m-course at Doomben.
Flamboyer has won twice and been placed 10 times at Doomben but his 1350m-record at the track is not as good.
In 10 starts he has failed to win and been beaten several times as favourite.
Doughty is more than hopeful Flamboyer can erase the hoodoo when he tackles the Open Handicap on Saturday.
He will be backing up after running a sound third behind Upstart Pride in the Goldmarket Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast last Saturday.
“It was a good run because Upstart Pride ran the field into the ground from the start,” Doughty said.
“Flamboyer is best when he can dictate in front and not have to chase as was the case last Saturday.
“So it was a good effort when he battled on for third. Of course he is more of a 1300 or 1400-metre horse than a 1200-metre flyer.”
“The 1350 is an ideal distance for him and he has won three times at it but just not a Doomben.”
Doughty is at a loss to explain the Doomben drought other than several horses often vie for the lead early in 1350m races.
“There doesn’t look to be a lot of pace in the race on Saturday even though it is a big field,” she said.
“However, it might drop away a bit because of the rain.”
It is the prospect of a heavy track on Saturday that Doughty believes could be Flamboyer’s big advantage.
“He has never been out of the place on a heavy track and he is also very good in soft going. These days he needs the sting out of the ground for him to do his best,” she said.
“He is a tough horse and backing up in a week shouldn’t be a problem.”
Apprentice Lani Fancourt, whose claim has been reduced to 1.5kg, has retained the ride on Flamboyer meaning he will carry 56.5kg.
“Flamboyer travels well for Lani and she can get horses to jump and get up on the pace,” Doughty said.
