Sunshine Coast Turf Club will play host to a thrilling conclusion of the Queensland Winter racing carnival on Saturday with three black-type contests to be run.
Headlined by the $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), the final day of the carnival is set to be a ‘cherry on top’ for racing fans with over half a million dollars to be raced for.
Sitting atop in early markets for the 2400m feature are joint favourites Le Don De Vie and London Banker.
The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained six-year-old was electric first-up at Flemington over 1600m, before putting in an even effort last start in the Group 1 Q22.
Kelly Shweida will be hoping his consistent gelding will be able to pick up where he left off on the weekend after cruising to victory in the Tattersall’s Cup.
Other intriguing nominations for the race include the Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho and the Richard & Will Freedman-trained Alakahan, with the latter looking to build on from his narrow defeat in the Winter Cup.
As for the other Listed contest, the Glasshouse Handicap (1400m), Annabel Neasham will be striving for the Eyeliner/Glasshouse double with Holyfield, a feat last achieved by Monsieur Gustave in 2017.
Hoping to turn the tables on the last start winner is Dessert Lord who sits on the second line of betting joint with the Michael Moroney-trained Buffalo River, who will be out to atone after a disappointing showing in the Stradbroke.
In a race that to date has eluded champion trainer Chris Waller, the Sydney trainer has nominated a competitive group of runners to contest, including Blondeau, Bullfinch, Kubrick, and Mohican Heights.
Bottega has also been nominated for the race and is set to make his stable debut for Lee Freedman after parting ways with the Ryan & Alexiou team.
Renamed in 2020 to the Winx Guineas (1600m), the sole Group race of the day will also serve as the final Group race of the carnival.
Spearheading the nominations for the three-year-olds and looking to capitalise on his strong return is the Bjorn Baker-trained Battleton.
The son of Zoustar is yet to miss the frame in his three runs back, most recently chasing hard to the line in the Gunsynd Classic.
Also nominated and coming out of the same race together is last-start winner Subterranean and placegetter Indiscreetly.
David Vandyke will be hoping Whitewater can bring the trainer a second win in the race after taking it out in 2019 with Baccarat Baby.
There is no current official track rating available, but rain is forecast for the back end of the week and into the weekend.
The rail sits in the true position the course entire.
