There are pointers from two astute veterans that indicate Newcastle three-year-old Perast has a genuine chance in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben.
Perast, who earned a place in Saturday’s Stradbroke by winning the Fred Best Classic at his last start, is trained by multiple Group One-winning trainer Paul Perry from Newcastle.
Perry is regarded as a trail blazer after sending Choisir to Royal Ascot in 2003 to win the two feature sprints, the King’s Stand and Golden Jubilee.
The fact he hasn’t had a runner in a Brisbane Group One race since Newport won the 2007 Brisbane Cup is a real pointer to Perast.
Perry’s son Shannon said his father didn’t believe in travelling horses to races they couldn’t win.
“Perast’s barrier (12) could have been worse and we know he can handle the Doomben track and the 1350 metres,” Shannon Perry said.
He said the fact Jeff Lloyd had accepted the ride was also a good pointer.
“When a top jockey such as Jeffrey Lloyd gets down to 50kg to ride a horse you have to take notice,” he said.
Lloyd will need a doctor’s clearance to ride Perast after being stood down after two rides at the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
Lloyd, who is confident he will get a clearance, confirmed he hadn’t ridden at 50kg in more than a decade.
“Perast looks a good ride in a Group One and I hope the effort is worth it,” he said.
