Sara Ryan has her sights on a Queensland winter carnival campaign for Warwick Farm winner Is It Spectacular, but not before she consider a stakes assignment in Melbourne.
Ryan says the two-year-old is blessed with natural ability and being a son of Derby winner Dundeel, will continue to improve as he is stepped out in trip.
Is It Spectacular was having just his second start on Wednesday and despite racing greenly, he was able to narrowly edge out more experienced Godolphin colt Gaeilge in the Find Your Ozzmosis @ The Chase Handicap (1300m).
“I was half-thinking about the Anzac Stakes down in Melbourne in three weeks’ time but his ultimate goal will be up in Queensland,” Ryan told Sky Racing.
“I’ve always had a very big opinion of this horse and the day that Chad (Schofield) rode it at its first start he got off it and said, ‘this is a serious horse’.”
The Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) is at Flemington on April 25 while the major Brisbane winter carnival races are spread throughout May and June.
Is It Spectacular raced outside the leader on Wednesday before wearing Gaeilge down over the final stages, although Schofield predicted he would be a better horse ridden with cover.
“He’s a lovely horse. Still very raw but he gives a quality feel and he is only going to improve as he starts to learn what it’s all about,” Schofield said.
“We didn’t plan on being that close but he jumped well and showed a lot of gate speed.
“We travelled outside the leader, came back, I got him to relax and we controlled the tempo.
“Kerrin (McEvoy on Gaeilge) clicked up and sprinted quite well, but it was just a matter of me getting him through his gears and not rushing him too much because he is very much leggy at the moment.”
