Tony and Maddysen Sears could kickstart a big weekend for Queensland when Yellow Brick flies the flag for their state in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, a day before the Brisbane Broncos take on the Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand final.
Yellow Brick is the only Queensland-trained horse in Saturday’s feature Randwick mile and if he can reproduce his Stradbroke Handicap performance, Maddy Sears says he is in with a fighting chance.
The six-year-old stormed home to beat all bar War Machine in the Stradbroke and as his regular trackwork rider as well as his trainer, she is adamant he is going just as well.
While his midfield effort in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last start might suggest otherwise, Sears said he didn’t have the versatility to settle as handy to the speed as he did, especially lumping 59.5kg, and she was pleased to see him stick to his task and finish within three lengths of the winner.
“He raced way too close in his last start,” Maddy Sears said.
“We weren’t disappointed. It was probably the best he’s ever finished being up on speed.
“He can’t finish off like that, especially with that weight.
“We’re hoping he gets the same run he did in the Stradbroke. He was very good in the Stradbroke so hopefully that happens again on Saturday.”
Yellow Brick drops four kilos to 55.5kg in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) and from barrier 11, will be snagged back and given a chance to produce his customary big finish.
Sears has remained with the gelding in Sydney since his last run and reports his work has been faultless.
“He is ready to go. He had a really good hitout (on Tuesday) morning in company. I’m really happy with him and he has come through the run really well,” she said.
Yellow Brick is among four Epsom runners with Brisbane winter carnival formlines along with New Zealand raider Pier, who won The Wayne Wilson (1600m) in June, Queensland Guineas victor Depth Of Character and Verona Rose, who finished midfield in the Queensland Oaks (2200m).
Kolding (2020) and Private Eye (2022) both captured the Queensland Guineas-Epsom Handicap double and Annabel Archibald, co-trainer of Depth Of Character, said Saturday’s race had been a long-range target.
“He is building nicely and we’ve set him for this race. It’s not an afterthought,” Archibald said.
“I think he’s a great chance. We’ve all got to beat the favourite (Autumn Glow) but she’s got a hurdle to overcome with the draw, although she is certainly the benchmark.
“But it’s an Epsom, it’s a handicap and we’re there on the minimum with a horse who loves the mile.
“He’s a Guineas winner over a mile. He ran second in The Coast over a mile. He wasn’t too bad that day in the Guineas but he is a much better horse now than he was then.”
