Doomben can’t come soon enough for trainer Desleigh Forster.
She has been ticking off her calendar until the day the stable’s trio of three-year-olds – Too Good To Refuse, I’m Belucci and Cylinder Beach – face off in the Group Three Gunsynd Classic on Saturday.
“I have been looking forward to it. I mean, to have three genuine chance in a Group race would please any trainer and I hope it is just the start of a big winter,” Forster said.
Too Good To Refuse, to be ridden by Ryan Wiggins, is headed towards the Group One Stradbroke Handicap or Group Two Queensland Guineas on June 11.
“His win in the Toowoomba Guineas at his last start was very good,” Forster said.
“The problem with him is we have again drawn badly (12) so I will have to work out how to ride him.”
Spring Champion Stakes runner-up I’m Belucci, who has a new rider in Luke Dittman, is being aimed at the Queensland Derby, also on June 11.
“Luke has got a feel for I’m Belucci in a jump-out,” Forster said.
“I have put the blinkers on him and I would expect him to be closer in the run.”
Cylinder Beach, a Michael Cahill mount, is having his first run since winning a Doomben maiden by nine lengths on Melbourne Cup day.
“He is all class and showed it when third in the Sires’ and fourth in the JJ Atkins last year,” Forster said.
“He is well drawn on Saturday I would expect him to roll along.”
“And I would expect he will be improved by the run with the Queensland Derby also in mind.”
