Co-trainer Steven O'Dea to continue Caloundra Cup love affair

By Glenn Davis

Co-trainer Steven O'Dea is hopeful of maintaining his recent Sunshine Coast Cup dominance with a three-pronged attack in the Listed feature on Saturday.

O'Dea, who now trains in partnership with Matthew Hoysted, was training solo when he claimed his first Sunshine Coast Cup with Sir Moments in 2017 before Scallopini won in 2020.

O'Dea was training alongside Hoysted when Scallopini won the Sunshine Coast Cup for a second time last year.

Former Victorian mare Chaillot will spearhead the pairs Sunshine Coast Cup charge when the six-year-old makes her stable debut ahead of a winter carnival campaign.

Chaillot will be joined by Tumbler Ridge and Namazu, who also is a stable newcomer after being previously trained at Rockhampton by Ricky Vale.

Chaillot – a Ben Thompson mount - is having her first start since beating three home in the Group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington last October.

“She’s a serious horse who Archie Alexander had early in her career,” co-trainer Hoysted said.

“She’s been around the mark in Group 1 races and had really good form early on and is a dual stakes winner.

“Trilogy bought her and gave her a couple of runs with Mick Price before she came up here.

“She’ll only have the one run before we put her away for the winter and aim for a race like the Tatt’s Tiara.”

Hoysted said Chaillot and Tumbler Ridge had both pleased the stable after having a jump out and a trial.

“We couldn’t be any happier with the way both are going and we just want to see how Chaillot goes under race conditions,” Hoysted said.

“I’d suggest on her day she’s the class runner if she can bring her best form.”

Tumbler Ridge – a Boris Thornton mount – hasn’t raced since winning over 1600 metres at Doomben on September 10.

“He’s first-up as well but he’s trialled up well and had a jump out and this is a race we targeted with him as he’s goes well fresh,” Hoysted said.

“He’s going super and we couldn’t be any happier with him and he’s near where he needs to be first-up.

“He’s never won a stakes race yet.

“Namazu has been super impressive since he’s come into the stable but he hasn’t race for a while and might need it further."