A change in race day gear and a sharp drop in class are expected to help Torgersen return to top form at Eagle Farm.
The Chris Waller-trained pair of Torgersen and Araaja are set to back up from last week’s Listed Tattersall’s Mile in the TAB Handicap (1800m).
Torgersen has earned top weight of 59kg but he hasn’t won since taking the Filante Handicap at Randwick in October.
He raced well in the Victorian spring with a second in the Listed Kilmore Cup his best effort.
However, he struggled in Victoria in the winter and was sent to Waller’s Gold Coast stable to see if he could regain the form that saw him win two Queensland races last year.
Torgersen ran an even race when unplaced in the Tattersall’s Mile.
“He is down in class and Chris has elected to take blinkers off him,” Waller’s Queensland manager Paul Shailer said.
He will monitor Araaja who was a good second to Silvera last week.
If she runs, Araaja will have started three weeks in a row.
Meanwhile, trainer Billy Healey has also taken blinkers off Balf’s Choice who will also be backing.
A multiple winner in Victoria and South Australia, Balf’s Choice was having his first Queensland start in the Tattersall’s Mile where he hit the lead in the straight but faded.
Healey feels the removal of blinkers might help Balf’s Choice run a strong 1800m.
“The plan was always to give him some Queensland starts before deciding on where he heads,” he said.
