Trainer Kelly Schweida is having his best start to a racing season but he isn’t counting on three of his veterans adding to his win total at Doomben.
Schweida has had seven winners since the new season started on August 1 at a win percentage of about 35 per cent.
His winners have been widespread ranging from Sydney to a Doomben double to Queensland provincial tracks.
“It has been a good start to the year. But we have been able to find the right races for our horses and they have been able to win,” Schweida said.
“I know everyone says it but it is really a credit to all of my staff as I am able to entrust them with horses who travel interstate and to the provincials.”
Schweida has a strong hand on Saturday including L’Entrecote and Ruling Force in the Open Handicap (1350m) at Doomben along with Out Outraged in the 1600m-Open.
L’Entrecote was a solid eighth behind stable mate Stella Ombra at Doomben two weeks ago at his first start in six months.
The gelding was a noted second-up horse early in his career but Schweida is not convinced that is still the case.
“I know he has some good second-up form and I know he has raced well before at 1350 metres,” Schweida said.
“But he is older now and I think he will take a few runs to get to his very best. Also I think his best distance these days will be at 1600 metres.”
Schweida is also expecting Ruling Force to need another run before hitting his top form.
“He doesn’t have much second-up form and he is better at 1600 metres. But it is a small field and with some luck they could be in it,” he said.
Outraged produced an outstanding run first up when he came from a long last to be third behind Oxford Poet at Doomben three weeks ago.
Schweida accepted with Outraged in both Open handicaps on Saturday but elected to go with the longer race.
“His best form is over a middle distance and he is better first-up than second-up. But again there will be plenty of pace here so he will be running home again,” Schweida said.
The trainer will monitor three-year-old filly Cellargirl in the next few days before deciding whether to press on towards the Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill next month.
Cellargirl ran a sizzling last 600m sectional when she came from near last to win over 1050m at Doomben on Wednesday.
