Trainer Darren Bell hopes to put aside the result of a recent controversial protest decision with the promising Eight’s A Party.
Five-year-old Eight’s A Party lines up in a 1600-metre class six at Doomben on Saturday, two weeks after narrowly missing out at the Sunshine Coast.
Eight’s A Party was beaten a short head by Lock’s Legend over 1400 metres, with Bell protesting after his horse lost ground rounding the home turn.
Bell was adamant he’d get the decision, only for the protest to be dismissed following a lengthy hearing.
“I was disappointed but the general opinion seems to be it could have gone either way,” Bell said.
“It is no use worrying about something you can’t change and we just have to look ahead to Saturday.”
Damian Browne takes over from the suspended Tim Bell aboard Eight’s A Party who is drawn wide (15) at Doomben.
“Damian should suit him as he can time his run on horses so well,” trainer Bell said.
He believes Eight’s A Party was one of many horses who were probably better suited at the currently closed Eagle Farm track rather than Doomben.
“Eight’s A Party does need a big track and it is one of the reasons we might look at Sydney again for him,” Bell said.
Eight’s A Party raced in Sydney last year where he ran second at Warwick Farm over 2200m at his only start in the south.
“I don’t think Eight’s A Party was at his best last campaign but I think he is back near his top this time,” Bell said.
Meanwhile, premier trainer Tony Gollan will saddle up his first runner for prominent owners Rob Willis and Michael Buys on Saturday with Best Of The Rest in the Racing Retro Open (2100m).
“He impressed me in a track gallop on Tuesday morning and I am expecting a forward showing,” said Gollan of Best Of The Rest who won at Hawkesbury three starts back.
Gollan has had a lot of luck with former NSW stayers, including the Ipswich Cup winner Brave Ali.
