It is 36 years since Grahame Begg tasted success at the highest level in Queensland and with the field now set for the state’s signature race on Saturday, he is hopeful that Splash Back can break that long drought.
You have to go way back to Eye Of The Sky’s victory in the Doomben Cup (2000m) in May 1990 for that milestone which was also Begg’s first group one winner.
As Begg approaches 900 career winners, Splash Back will take in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm after finishing ninth without being in the winning picture in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on May 30.
However, the six-year-old’s trainer was still comfortable with the performance especially as Brisbane’s features have been the plan since her long spring campaign.
“We were very happy with her run,” Begg said.
“Down on the inside there last week wasn’t any good. You couldn’t be too wide, and you couldn’t close in, you had to be on the crest of the track where there was a little sweet spot.”
The barrier draw for the Stradbroke takes place at Eagle Farm on Tuesday morning before which Splash Back will have her final gallop at the course.
Rated a $14 chance in markets on Monday, the mare will have five-kilos off her back from her last start and 4½-kilos less than the weight she carried to win the Listed Victory Stakes (1200m) beating fellow Stradbroke aspirants Payline and Warnie.
“She’s got a nice weight drop and Willo is booked,” Begg added as Craig Williams will be shooting for his third Stradbroke win following Sniper’s Bullet in 2007 and Tofane in 2021.
Kingsford Smith winner Headley Grange is at the top of an open Stradbroke market at $5 with Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) winner Regal Award at $5.50 and Fangirl the only other runner under double figure odds at $6.50.
