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The Harrovian on target for summer campaign

10 November 2021

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Race-8-The-Harrovian-DSC-5449-jpg.JPGBy Glenn Davis

Age and weight won’t be a barrier for former North Queensland marvel The Harrovian who makes his comeback ahead of the TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival at Doomben on Saturday.

The Harrovian - a Brad Stewart mount - returns after a long break in the Listed TAB Keith Noud Stakes over 1200 metres.

Now an eight-year-old, The Harrovian hasn’t raced since finishing sixth to Tofane in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.

Co-trainer Toby Edmonds said The Harrovian is on another path towards the $5 million All Star Mile at Flemington next March.

A winner of 17 of his 34 starts, The Harrovian is bouncing around his Gold Coast stables like a horse half his age.

“He might be eight now but he gets around like he’s a four-year-old,” Edmonds said.

“He didn’t have much time off after the All Star Mile before the winter carnival here but he’s had a decent spell this time.

“His main aim is the Bernborough Handicap and then hopefully he’ll go back for the All Star Mile which is at Flemington next year.”

The Listed Bernborough Handicap will be run over 1600 metres at Doomben on Boxing Day.

The Harrovian finished fifth in the All Star Mile at Moonee Valley on March 13 before he returned home to finish a gallant third in the Doomben 10,000 won by The Joe Pride-trained Eduardo.

He then was beaten just over one length in the Stradbroke Handicap behind the Michael Moroney-trained Tofane.

“He drew out a bit in the Doomben 10,000 and got further back than we hoped and his Stradbroke run was very good,” Edmonds said.

“He’s got 60.5kgs but he always carries big weights so that doesn’t bother me.”

Edmonds got his wish in the barrier draw when The Harrovian drew gate six.

The trainer is keeping a close watch on the weather but feels the current rating of a soft track will suit The Harrovian.

“The jar out of the track will suit him but I just hope the rain doesn’t come late,” he said.

“Rain was predicted for early this week but it hasn’t come yet.”

The Harrovian showed he was ready for a strong first-up showing after finishing second in a 1000-metre barrier trial at the Gold Coast on October 18.