Dual Group One placegetter I’m Belucci will make a low-key return at Eagle Farm almost a year since his last race.
I’m Belucci will be having his first start since finishing third in the Group One Queensland Derby last June when he races in a Class Six Plate on Saturday.
Trainer Desleigh Forster had originally planned to take him to Beaudesert on Tuesday to run in a Class Three Plate.
“Unfortunately, Beaudesert has been badly damaged by floodwaters,” Forster said.
“The meeting was moved to Gatton and I didn’t think I’m Belucci would have been suited by that tight track.”
Forster was able to work I’m Belucci with his stablemate, recent Toowoomba Cup winner Cylinder Beach, between races at Doomben last Saturday.
“I was happy with the way he went against Cylinder Beach who is a good track worker. It was certainly what we needed in the lead-up to Saturday,” Forster said.
I’m Belucci’s other Group One placing was a second in the 2015 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick when he was ridden by Tim Clark.
“I have been able to get Tim for this Saturday which is the first time he has ridden I’m Belucci since that race. A lot of Sydney stables use Tim so it is great to get him when he is in Brisbane,” Forster said.
She will make up her mind which direction to take with I’m Belucci in the winter after Saturday’s race.
Clark will also ride two-year-old Sun Deck for Forster in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m).
The in-form Sydney rider is in Brisbane primarily to ride Takedown for trainer Gary Moore in the Group Two Victory Stakes.
