By Glenn Davis
Classy Sydney filly Torvill showed she would be a major threat in next month’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks with a commanding win in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet at Doomben on Saturday.
Ridden by comeback jockey Jim Orman, Torvill let down strongly once she got clear running in the straight to down Another Dollar by 1-1/4 lengths.
Improvise was third, a similar margin away.
Orman has only been back in the saddle riding for two weeks after fracturing his back in a fall at the Sunshine Coast in January.
Trainer Clarry Conners sent the daughter of Not A Single Doubt north after the filly campaigned strongly in Group company during the Sydney autumn carnival.
Torvill ran second in last month’s Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick before a similar placing in the Group 3 Carlton Draught Classic at Kembla Grange.
Conners said Torvill over raced in her next start when she was sixth in the Group 1 Vinery Stakes at Rosehill before a close up fourth to California Turbo in the Listed South Pacific Classic at Randwick on April 14.
Conners won the first of five Group 1 races in Brisbane when Air Seattle claimed the Queensland Derby in 1993.
He will now aim Torvill for the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben in two weeks before the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 26.
“She was the best horse in the race today but I didn’t want to get too far back,” Orman said.
“She was three wide but we had cover.
“I think she’ll take The Roses in her stride and she’s a live chance in the Oaks.”
Meanwhile Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings credited a recent gelding operation for the improved form of Sydney sprinter Marsupial.
Marsupial, ridden superbly by Jim Byrne, burst through a big gap on the fence to down Oneness by a half length in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Plate (1350m).
Marsupial was successful only once in his first two campaigns before Cummings decided to geld him at the start of his current preparation in February.
“He’s now two wins and two seconds this campaign,” said Cummings, who attended the Hawkesbury meeting.
“He’s got his confidence now that he’s been gelded.”
Cummings will now press on with Marsupial to the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 12.
Racing Queensland webnews April 28