Queensland trainers chase NSW feature races

By Jordan Gerrans 

Chambers Flat trainer Anna Woodmansey is optimistic quality mare Pelosi is up to the strong opposition of the Group 2 Sibelia Stakes on Saturday night at Menangle.

Woodmansey is one of a handful of Queensland trainers who have taken their star horses to NSW for their carnival period.

She will be joined by Wayne Graham (Justalittle Torque), Chantal Turpin (Will The Wizard, Saucy Dreams, Blacksadance, Miss Ruby Sunshine) and Vicki Rasmussen (One Change) at Tabcorp Park on Saturday evening.

One Change, Will The Wizard and Blacksadance will be looking to book a spot in the Chariots Of Fire the following week on Saturday night. 

Group 1 winning trainer Woodmansey has been in NSW since the middle of January, taking three horses down.

She has Pelosi - a previous Australian 2YO Filly of the Year - in the $50,000 Group 2 feature (1609m) on Saturday and is set to go against Turpin’s Saucy Dreams and Graham’s Justalittle Torque.

“I am quite confident she is well up to them,” Woodmansey said of Pelosi’s chances.

“Like all these races, it will just depend where she ends up as if she is too far back and they are running quick up front, it makes it pretty hard.”

Woodmansey says there is certainly state pride on the line when Sunshine State trainers take their horses across the border.

“I am a proud Queenslander, so I really like coming down here trying to do our best,” Woodmansey said.

“Hopefully somewhere down the line she can knock one of these races off, if not one of these, hopefully an age group race.”

Turpin’s husband, Peter McMullen, is booked to drive her chances on Saturday and is hopeful they can continue their hot streak of form at Menangle.

McMullen drove four winners last Saturday evening at Albion Park while Turpin last month brought up her 1000^th career victory when Saucy Dreams won at the same venue.

“We are very lucky at the moment to have a great team of horses,” McMullen said.

“We have a good bunch of horses that are young and on a good mark.

“It is exciting.

“It is a whole new ball game racing in NSW, it is quite strong.”

Experienced trainer Woodmansey believes the field of 12 runners will suit Pelosi on Saturday, who is set to be driven by Jim Douglass.

“It is a tough race but I am actually glad to be in a full field as the last couple of runs she has been in six horse fields and I do not think they are the greatest races,” Woodmansey said.

“Her run last start at Newcastle was very, very good, she ran the quickest of the night there for the last 800m and went super.

“I am hoping she can get a nice spot and do her best.”

Woodmansey has not set out a plan for Pelosi following Saturday night’s run.

“It will all depend how she goes this Saturday, it is very hard racing down here,” Woodmansey said.

“I know she is a mare now, but the mares down here are quite strong.

“We will see how she goes and from that, there is some four-year-old races coming up in March, we may look at those.”

One of Queensland’s top pacers is also looking forward to racing south of the border, on a path towards the famous Miracle Mile next month.

Turn It Up is likely to be heading to NSW for the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on the first Saturday of March.

Turn It Up got the better of Colt Thirty One, who is now likely to head for a spell, on Saturday night at Albion Park, putting in a spectacular run to overtake Colt Thirty One in the final stages and race away.