Edmonds stable hoping to be big Jewel players

By Jordan Gerrans

The Queensland Jewel Raceday is an occasion the Edmonds camp have not been big players in across recent years and the training partnership plan to change that in 2022 and beyond.

Racing on their home track at Aquis Park in recent years, Usmanov and Peppi La Few have won on the day for the Edmonds’ but they are yet to figure prominently in the feature juvenile races.

The father and son training partnership hope to make their mark starting this Saturday with Blackjack Boom and Boho Beauty heading towards the TAB 3YO QTIS Jewel, which is run for $500,000 over 1200 metres.

With metropolitan racing turning to the Gold Coast this Saturday, co-trainer Trent Edmonds says the stable want to become regular contenders for races such as the Jewel – which is run for QTIS eligible two and three-year-olds.

“This is the first year we have had horses around the mark to run in these races,” Trent said.

“Hopefully next year we can come back with a couple two-year-olds and three-year-olds for that season as well.

“It is a day that we have had a bit of success on but just not in the main event.

“Any Saturday racing on our own home turf you want to be winning, it is extra special these big meetings at home to try and compete and earn good prize money.”

Widely regarded as the best in the nation, QTIS provides bonuses for Queensland-bred horses who can prevail in the Sunshine State.

The Spirit Of Boom gelding - Blackjack Boom – put in a career worst effort last start at Toowoomba earlier this month in the QTIS Jewel Prelude 3YO Handicap, Trent says.

Blackjack Boom had won four from five in the early stages of his career before heading up to the Darling Downs and nothing went to plan at Clifford Park on that occasion.

Trent has been impressed with his work this week and expects him to bounce back this Saturday.

“I am hopeful that we just forget about the Toowoomba run,” Trent said.

“It was quite an odd performance, he bucked coming out of the mounting yard after the strapper let him go and that wasn’t him.

“And, then all of a sudden he couldn’t muster any speed.

“Hopefully we can bounce back with him.

“Back to his home track and up to 1200 metres, no twists or turns in the track, I think he should be able to bounce back.”

Trent’s father Toby recently said the Jewel had been the long-term idea for their promising gelding.

“Going to the Jewel has been the plan for a while now, so we will head there and see how we go,” Toby said after his most recently win on the Sunshine Coast.

Regular stable hoop Robbie Fradd has been booked for Blackjack Boom.

He has been on-board in all four of his career triumphs so far while Andrew Mallyon will pilot Boho Beauty.

Stable mate Boho Beauty comes into the Jewel having won her last two at the Sunshine Coast in provincial grade.

She faces a tough step up in opposition on Saturday and the team is keen to have a throw at the stumps with her.  

“She has been a filly that has taken good progression and she will need to improve again on Saturday,” Edmonds said.

“It is a $500,000 race so we want to have a go.

“She has been a dominant winner in her last two and this race has always been the plan, but we have just sort of had to go through the back door as we have had a couple of barrier issues with her that took some sorting out.

“Ideally she would have had a prep or two more under her belt but that was not to be, she is a nice filly.”

The speedy Usmanov will also represent the Edmonds team on Saturday at his preferred 900-metre dash.

The nine-time career winner has been disappointing in his two runs this preparation – according to Trent – and he has been kept extra fresh for this assignment where he will lug the top-weight.

If Usmanov does not to show his best form on Saturday, the stable may look to retire him in the near future.