By Glenn Davis
Trainer Clarry Conners is hoping a dash back from the United States won’t be in vain to watch Torvill run in the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
Conners is chasing his third win in The Roses with Torvill who is being aimed at the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on May 26.
His previous winners in The Roses were Invest (2012) and Dear Demi (2013).
Conners flew to the United States to watch the Kentucky Derby and missed Torvill’s win in last month’s Listed Gold Coast Bracelet at Doomben.
However, Conners is due back on Friday and will be on course to saddle up Torvill who he rates as superior to his former Queensland Oaks winners Zagalia and Allow.
The Roses was first run in 1996 and only two winners, Ethereal (2001) and Scar1ett Lady (2011), have gone on to win the Queensland Oaks which was run over 2400 metres in previous years.
Conners has received good reports about Torvill following the filly’s Bracelet victory.
“Everything is fine with her and my staff are very happy,” said Conners prior to boarding his flight home.
“I’m a bit disappointed she’s drawn wide again and I’m hoping the track won’t be too wet.
“Jimmy Orman rode her work this week and he’s very pleased with her recovery.”
Conners has confirmed Torvill will head to the Queensland Oaks after The Roses and won’t run in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas.
“The Queensland Guineas was an option if I didn’t think she’d run 2000 metres but after winning The Bracelet but she’ll definitely go for the Oaks,” he said.
Conners has a long history of winning major races in Brisbane going back to his first Group 1 win with Air Seattle in the 1993 Queensland Derby.
He has won a total of five Group 1’s in Brisbane with his last Apercu in the J J Atkins at Eagle Farm in 2007.
Torvill stamped her class during the autumn in Sydney when runner-up to Shoals in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick in March.
In latest UBET markets, Torvill is the $4.20 favourite despite drawing barrier 18 in The Roses while she’s a $6.50 favourite to win the Queensland Oaks.
Racing Queensland webnews May 11