Jumbo Prince will receive enough weight relief in the Brisbane Handicap for trainer Michael Nolan to have high hopes for the galloper’s summer campaign.
Jumbo Prince has had six starts in stakes company and is yet to win, although his three minor placings in top grade include a third in the Group One Queensland Derby.
The four-year-old carried 59kg when seventh behind Traveston Girl who carried 54kg in the Listed Recognition Stakes two weeks ago.
He drops to 56kg in Saturday’s Brisbane Handicap with Hopfgarten the 59kg topweight.
Nolan believes Jumbo Prince is being penalised for his good early form, in particular his three-year-old year last season.
“He was most consistent and raced well against the top horses. But they were set-weights races for three-year-olds,” Nolan said.
“Jumbo Prince has won only one open-company race and now finds himself with 58 and 59 (kg) in stakes races. We get some weight relief on Saturday with Hofpgarten in the race.”
“But in the long term you have to be worried about the weights he will get in the future. The good horses seem to get up quickly in the weights in Queensland.”
Jumbo Prince is one of the smallest horses in Queensland but has a big heart.
“He always tries and you don’t want to bury them under big weights all the time,” Nolan said.
Brisbane has had storms and showers all week and Nolan is hoping the track will be softer.
“It was firm in the Recognition Stakes and while Jumbo Prince handles all conditions, a bit of give would be appreciated,” Nolan said.
Jumbo Prince has won seven times on rain-affected tracks. His main aim for the summer is the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (1800m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.
