The Robert Heathcote-trained Ingeegoodbe will play a lone hand for Queensland in the longest race on the Doomben program, highlighting the lack of local distance horses.
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has three runners, Estikhraaj, Follow Suit and Vaucluse Bay, Newcastle-based Kris Lees has Zip A Dee Doo Dah, Murwillumbah’s Matt Dunn saddles Ready For Danger and Armidale’s Robert Knight Bob’s A Dazzler.
Ingeegoodbe won over 1820m last time out at Eagle Farm and steps up to 2200m in Saturday’s Open Handicap.
“I have always felt he would be a more than handy 2200 to 2400 metre horse and he gets his chance now,” Heathcote said.
Racing Queensland has introduced a stayers series, provincial and three-year-old races which it hopes will encourage more stayers to Queensland in coming years.
Saturday’s race will mark an important event for star NSW Northern Rivers apprentice Cejay Graham who is making her Brisbane metropolitan Saturday debut on Bob’s A Dazzler.
Graham, the daughter of top NSW country jockey Peter Graham, has ridden 80 winners in her short career.
