A good barrier draw has convinced trainer Tony Sears to start Pillar Of Creation in the $175,000 Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich.
Sears also had next week’s Rockhampton Newmarket in mind but when Pillar Of Creation drew gate two for Saturday’s Listed race it swayed him to the run the horse.
“If he had drawn wide in the Eye Liner he would have certainly been heading for the Rockhampton Newmarket,” Sears said.
“But he gets into the Eye Liner on the minimum weight and from a good barrier. He has won four times around the 1350 metres and he has had no luck since coming to us.”
Pillar Of Creation finished third to Riva De Lago in the Glasshouse Handicap at his most recent start, an effort that followed a second in the Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba.
“It is the right sort of form for a race like the Eye Liner and it isn’t the strongest Listed race we have seen this winter,” Sears said.
Sears added that any rain before Saturday’s meeting would enhance his horse’s chances.
“David Moodie who owned him in Melbourne told me he is six lengths better on a soft track,” Sears said.
“Pillar Of Creation has won five times on soft going so we can hope the rain is a bit heavier than predicted.”
Apprentice Luke Tarrant has the ride on Pillar Of Creation.
Trainer Barry Lockwood has called on Paul Hammersley, who won last Saturday’s Brisbane Cup on Jetset Lad, to ride Tokamak in the Eye Liner.
Tokamak will be having his fourth run back from a long layoff and Lockwood is expecting him to be suited by a distance rise.
