By Glenn Davis
Trainer Chris Anderson is hopeful stablemates Epic Girl and Boomtown Lass can take full advantage of Emerald Kingdom’s withdrawal from the Class Six Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Emerald Kingdom has been one of Brisbane’s recent revelations after winning his past five races but rival trainer Rob Heathcote will run the five-year-old in the TAB Open Handicap (1400m) after he drew poorly in the Class Six Handicap (1200m).
“I’m glad Emerald Kingdom is going the other way,” Anderson said.
“My two should both run well and will strip fitter after their recent runs.”
Epic Girl is coming off a last start third to Boom Chicka Boom over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on February 22 while Boomtown Lass ran a courageous race to finish third to Emerald Kingdom in a 1200-metre Class Six at Eagle Farm the same day.
“Epic Girl has been racing well and she’ll be better suited over 1200m,” Anderson said.
“She’s not one dimensional and she can either lead or take a sit.
“Boomtown Lass also races on the speed and should be able to take up a handy spot.”
Anderson has no major plans in mind with either sprinter but is hopeful they can fight out the finish.
“They’ll both run very well and I can’t split them,” he said.
Meanwhile Anderson is keeping all options on the table with Ballistic Boy who tackles the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400m).
Anderson had hoped to send Ballistic Boy to Sydney for the major three-year-old races but delayed a possible interstate trip after the gelding finished fourth in his first since October behind Naval Strike in a similar 1400-metres three-year-old race at Eagle Farm on February 22.
“He should be improved for his second up run and I’m pleased with how he’s going,” he said.
“I’m a little concerned with his barrier (13) which makes things a bit tricky for him.
“His first run back when he ran fourth wasn’t brilliant but it was okay.
“There’s stacks of options for him coming up and he could go south at the back end of the autumn carnival in Sydney or wait for the winter.
“I’ll review everything after he runs this Saturday.”
Ballistic Boy has already had a taste of Sydney racing when he finished a creditable fourth in the $1 million Bondi Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in late October.
Racing Queensland webnews March 6