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Smaller fish just as sweet for Meagher

14 August 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Chris Meagher is hoping a decision to chase smaller spoils will pay dividends with former Sydney sprinter Cosmic Caper at Ipswich on Friday.

Cosmic Caper has had only one start since joining Meagher’s Brisbane stable and is chasing an early breakthrough victory in the TAB Class One Handicap (1350m).

She debuted for the Meagher stable finishing third after being near last on the home turn in a 1200-metre Class One at Ipswich last month.

“She handled Ipswich quite well last time but it was a touch short for her and the extra distance will suit her better,” Meagher said.

“Her work has been terrific and she’s grown a lot in confidence since her first start for us.”

The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar started her career in Sydney with John O’Shea but was moved to John Thompson for her first start when she finished among the tailenders in a three-year-old maiden at Gosford in December.

After failing at her next three starts at Canberra, Nowra and Goulburn, her owner Paul Fudge sent her to Meagher to train from his Eagle Farm base.

Meagher trains in partnership with his father John and has a stable of 16 in work at Eagle Farm headquarters and another 14 in work at Mornington in Victoria.

Fudge heads the big Waratah Thoroughbreds syndicate and has been a strong supporter of Team Meagher.

Meagher rarely takes horses to Ipswich but has placed Cosmic Caper well after electing to bypass Eagle Farm on Saturday where she was entered for a Class Three Plate for fillies and mares.

“We accepted with her at Eagle Farm but we decided to take the easier option,” Meagher said.

“She came to us quite light and a little fragile but she’s matured a lot since she’s been up here.

“She’s drawn barrier three so she’ll race a lot closer than last time.”

Meagher has had only a handful of starters this season and is hopeful Cosmic Caper can provide the stable with its first winner of the new season.

“We had six wins in July but we’ve only had four runners so far this season and hopefully she can be our first win this season,” he said.

Racing Queensland webnews  August 15