By Glenn Davis
Co-trainer Tony Sears will unleash more firepower for next month’s $300,000 QTIS Jewel when stablemates Raging Pole and Magic Trick clash at Toowoomba on Wednesday.
Sears, who trains in partnership with daughter Maddy, already has a strong hand in the three-year-old QTIS Jewel (1200m) at the Gold Coast on March 14 with exciting filly Exondabeach.
They also have Spirit Of One chasing the $500,000 QTIS Jewel for two-year-olds the same day.
Exondabeach made it two wins from as many starts when she won at Eagle Farm on February 15.
Sears plans to saddle up Raging Pole and Magic Trick in the Gold Coast feature and is reluctant to separate the pair when they meet in the QTIS Jewel Qualifier (1000m) at Clifford Park.
Sears has booked Michael Hellyer to partner Magic Trick while Jimmy Orman will be aboard topweight Raging Pole.
“There’s not a lot between them and I wouldn’t like to separate them,” Sears said.
“Magic Trick went very good last start behind Exondabeach and I thought he probably should have run second or third.
“He couldn’t get out when he went for a run on the inside as Better Reflection was dropping back.
“He’s very effective over 1000 metres.”
Magic Trick was beaten less than three lengths when the gelding stormed home from near last for fifth to Exondabeach while Raging Pole is coming off a last start third to Rockhampton flyer Master Jamie over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm in mid-January.
“I considered claiming on Raging Pole as I thought the weights might go up but when they didn’t, I decided to stick with Jimmy Orman,” he said.
“Raging Pole’s last run was very good as he came off a wide draw.
“He needed a break after that run so I sent him to Washpool Lodge where he was on the water walker for two weeks.
“He’s come back strong and 1000 metres will suit him and I’ve got no doubt he’ll be better suited over 1200 metres in the QTIS Jewel next month.”
Last season Tony Sears became the first to win the QTIS premiership for both two and three-year-olds.
Racing Queensland webnews February 25