A last-start second to star sprinter Buffering has Mister Booze primed for his next challenge.
And trainer David Murphy thinks Mister Booze will have a few things in his favour when he races over 1600 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Girls Day Out Handicap at Doomben.
Murphy was thrilled when Mister Booze ran Buffering to 1-1/2 lengths in the $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Plate (1300m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.
“It was a terrific run and he hasn’t gone backwards. I have always felt he could run a strong 1600 metres and we will find out on Saturday,” Murphy said.
He said there did not appear to be a lot of pace in the race and Mister Booze could lead if he had to.
“There are some smart horses in the race who are proven at 1600 metres,” Murphy said.
“But they need a solid pace in their races and I don’t know if they will get it.”
Murphy believes race jockey Brad Stewart is perfect for Mister Booze who has a few tricks.
“Brad stands over him and Mister Booze always seems to race well for him,” Murphy said.
Meanwhile, the Murphy-trained three-year-old Shotacross The Bow will have two more starts before a break.
Shotacross The Bow missed a start in the Magic Millions Guineas as an emergency and found 1200m too short when seventh at the Sunshine Coast last week.
“He will have runs at 1350 metres and then 1600 at Doomben in the next month before a break. Then we will bring him back for a tilt at the Queensland Derby,” Murphy said.