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Spurcraft primed for Keith Noud

13 November 2020

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By Glenn Davis

Holidaying trainer Kelly Schweida is hoping for the catch of the day when rejuvenated sprinter Spurcraft tackles the Keith Noud at Doomben on Saturday.

Schweida is enjoying a week’s break on a fishing trip in the Gulf and will miss Spurcraft take part in the 1200-metre Listed feature.

Spurcraft will be out to break a distance hoodoo over 1200 metres having failed to win over the trip in three previous attempts.

Stable foreman Hayley Nicholls has been in charge of the seven-year-old since Schweida left on Tuesday for his week-long fishing holiday.

Spurcraft did most of his racing for Clifton school principal Charlotte White before being transferred to Schweida in March.

The seven-year-old has started only five times for Schweida breaking through for his only win for his new stable in a 1000-metre Open at Eagle Farm last month.

Spurcraft subsequently was a late finisher to run second to the Team Edmonds-trained Hard Empire over 1110 metres at Doomben on November 3.

Spurcraft has been regarded as a speed machine most of his career before he came from last to win at Eagle Farm two starts back.

“He’s got great gate speed but he finds it hard to sustain,” Nicholls said.

“It was a last-minute decision to ride him back in the field after he drew wide and won at Eagle Farm.

“He’s drawn a good gate this time so he probably won’t get as far back and should sit just off the pace.

“Off his last run I’m expecting him to run well.”

Nicholls was unsure of Spurcraft’s plans during the summer with stable flagbearer The Odyssey likely to head to the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben next month.

“I’m not sure what Kelly has planned for him but I suspect he’ll run in some of the better sprint races over the summer,” she said.

In latest TAB markets, Spurcraft is a $7 second favourite in the Keith Noud behind $5.50 favourite Hard Empire.

Hard Empire was having his first start for the training partnership of Toby Edmonds and son Trent when successful at Doomben.

The seven-year-old was previously trained in Adelaide by Richard and Chantelle Jolly winning nine times in 34 starts.