By Glenn Davis
Trainer Rod Northam will take a punt on the weather and send Scone-based Big Money to Brisbane for the Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Big Money was due to run in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Doomben two weeks ago before the final three races were washed out.
Northam decided against starting Big Money in the postponed Keith Noud Quality at Ipswich last week and instead gave the eight-year-old a barrier trial at Newcastle.
“I took him to Newcastle for a barrier trial after the Keith Noud was washed out,” Northam said.
“It was only a fair trial but he was entitled to trial average after the travelling up to Brisbane and back.
“At this stage I’m sending him to Brisbane on Thursday and we’ll see what happens with the weather.
“I don’t want to start him on a heavy track but if only five to ten millimetres of rain falls as predicted then he’ll run.”
He has also been entered for the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
Big Money, who drew barrier 12, has been a great campaigner for Northam earning more than $809,000 in prizemoney during his career.
The son of Choisir won the George Moore Stakes in 2014 then followed up with a win in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben at his next start.
In the same year Big Money won the Group 3 Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm and the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
He has competed six times at Group 1 level in the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap in 2015, the Goodwood and Stradbroke Handicaps in 2016 and in The Galaxy at Rosehill in March this year.
However, he failed to place on all six occasions.
Big Money’s only win since the Lough Neagh in 2014 was in the Group 3 Southern Cross at Randwick in April last year.
However, he indicated he was close to regaining his old form when third at Randwick on a soft track on November 7.
“He’s been a great horse even though he hasn’t won for a while,” Northam said.
“His first up run at Randwick was very good and if he runs he’ll go well.
“His overall form since he won the George Moore and Lough Neagh three years ago has been fair and it hasn’t affected his benchmark rating which is still high.”
Racing Queensland webnews November 29