Duncan's Dzsenifer out to break Eagle Farm hoodoo

By Glenn Davis

Sunshine Coast trainer Gary “Jack” Duncan is hopeful talented mare Dzsenifer can break her Eagle Farm hoodoo on Saturday.

Dzsenifer is yet to win in four starts at racing headquarters in Brisbane with two minor placings her best results.

The aptly named daughter of Scissor Kick takes her name from German soccer star, Dzsenifer Marozsán, and lines up in the Open Handicap over 1400 metres with jockey Taylor Marshall aboard again this Saturday. 

Duncan is not concerned that Dzsenifer is still a maiden at Eagle Farm.

“She hasn’t won at Eagle Farm yet but that doesn’t worry me as she did run a close second to last year’s Queensland Derby winner Kukeracha one day,” Duncan said.

Dzsenifer showed her class during the recent winter carnival by taking out the Listed Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast in May.

She subsequently beat one home in the Magic Millions National Classic at Eagle Farm and was second in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap before backing up a week later to finish seventh to Tycoon Evie in the Group 3 Pam O’Neill at Doomben on July 9.

Dzsenifer was beaten just over two lengths by Tycoon Evie in the Pam O’Neill after being caught on the fence on the rain-affected track at Doomben while Tycoon Evie skirted wide on the home turn in search for firmer going.

Duncan blamed the quick back-up for Dzsenifer’s performance in the Pam O’Neill.

“It was a good run but I don ‘t think she handled the back-up well and felt the pinch late,” he said.

“It wasn’t ideal to back her up but it was a Group 3 race against her own sex.

“She was probably on the worst part of the track on the fence but she was a bit weak late.”

Duncan plans to spell Dzsenifer following her Eagle Farm assignment this Saturday to prepare for the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.

“She’s a Magic Millions mare so we'll try to find a suitable race for her on Magic Millions day as well as target the summer races,” he said.

Duncan also has promising sprinter Goldsborough chasing a hat-trick of wins in the Class 6 Handicap on Saturday as well as last start winner Jolly Rupert in the Class 3 Plate while Charlie’s Case is third emergency in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Goldsborough made it four wins from his past seven starts when he was successful in a Class 6 Plate at Doomben on July 9.

“He’s back to 1000 metres but Eagle Farm should suit him,” Duncan said of Goldsborough.

‘It’s not ideal but he should be hard to beat with the claim for Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

"Jolly Rupert won his last start well so he should be competitive again."