Trainer Desleigh Forster is banking on a genuine tempo at Doomben to enable Red Chase to exact revenge on his Weetwood Handicap conqueror Jadentom.
Red Chase produced a barnstorming finish when runner-up to Jadentom after being held up and losing momentum on the home turn in the Weetwood Handicap at Tooowoomba on September 26 .
“There was a bit of a traffic jam on the corner and he was blocked for a run for a few strides but when he got out he really flew to the line,” Forster said.
“In the straight he made his run near the rail, which some people thought was a no-go zone. Whether or not the fence was off that day I’m not 100 per cent sure, but his run was super.”
As expected, the Weetwood was a high pressure test and Forster is hoping for a similar tempo in Saturday’s Go The Maroons Handicap (1200m).
“The 1200 metres around Doomben is a lot easier than Toowoomba, which means those speed horses might get it a bit easier this time,” she said.
“The faster they go up front, the better it’s going to suit us.
“From the one alley he should just lob on the rail and hopefully be as close as he can be without getting him out of his comfort zone.
“He’ll be getting to the line nice and strong late.”
Weetwood day proved a frustrating one for Forster, who also had to settle for second place in the Toowoomba Cup with Free Fly Too who was beaten a short half head by the Chris Waller-trained Alward.
Free Fly Too will clash again with Alward in the Listed Queensland Cup (2200m), meeting him on slightly better weight terms.
The gelding took up the frontrunning role in the Toowoomba Cup but Forster said he is adaptable enough to settle off the speed if the Bjorn Baker-trained Fun Fact is intent on setting the pace.
“If they want to roll along he can settle where he’s happy,” Forster said.
