Hoysted bullish ahead of sprinter’s Doomben return

By Glenn Davis

The training duo of Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted are hopeful Shooting For Gold can turn the clock back to his three-year-old days when the gelding tackles the Listed Magic Millions Falvelon at Doomben on Saturday.

Shooting For Gold won three races over 1200 metres as a three-year-old but in two subsequent years has failed in five starts to rediscover that form against older horses.

His last 1200 metre win was in Class Three grade at the Gold Coast in December 2020 and his best effort in his five subsequent starts over the journey was a placing in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star at Flemington in August.

Five-year-old Shooting For Gold won at Group 3 level at Caulfield during the spring before returning home to spell before a first-up second behind Sneaky Five in the Listed Bribie Handicap at Eagle Farm on December 10.

Hoysted was delighted with Shooting For Gold’s return over 1000 metres and expects him to improve ahead of his Falvelon assignment.

“He probably just labored a little bit under a big weight in the Bribie when they went to quicken,” Hoysted said.

“The only thing he’s got to tick is running out a strong 1200 metres.“He did it in his three-year-old year but his form since has been around 1000 and 1100 metres.

“He was a bit unlucky in a few races in the winter over 1200 metres and he should have won the Moreton Cup when he was charging home.

“He was also very unlucky not to win the Healy when he popped out four deep on the home turn.

“He just needs a little bit of luck from his tricky gate and if he can get a bit of cover, he’ll be charging home again.”

Stable star Uncommon James is set to return to back to Melbourne for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and Group 1 Newmarket Handicap in the autumn but no decision has been made whether Shooting For Gold will join him.

The training duo decided not to start Contemptuous in the Falvelon Stakes after the six-year-old drew the near outside gate in barrier 18.

“Contemptuous will go straight into the Magic Millions and he’ll be an acceptor for both the Sprint and The Syndicate,” Hoysted said.

“Shooting For Gold will run in the Magic Millions Sprint.”

Hoysted believes there are several dangers who have drawn soft in the Falvelon.

“Garibaldi is going to be hard to beat again and was really impressive winning the Gorge Moore and King Of Sparta is a good horse on his day,” he said.