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Stable hoping for a change of luck in Brisbane

Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs’ Queensland plans haven’t gone according to script, but they remain in the hunt for a Group One prize.

Qiji Phoenix
Qiji Phoenix Picture: Trish Dunell

The Ruakaka trainers’ hopes will rest with Here He Comes in the Queensland Derby with another horror gate highly likely to force the scratching of the precocious youngster Qiji Phoenix from the J.J. Atkins.

“His barrier of 15 makes it virtually impossible,” Logan said. “From where they start at Doomben it’s just too tough.

“I don’t want to devalue or hurt him with a gut-buster from that draw when he’s got a really bright three-year-old career ahead of him.”

The Not A Single Doubt colt was unbeaten in three New Zealand appearances before he turned in a brave effort for seventh, after racing three and four wide from a wide alley, in the Gr.2 Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Meanwhile, the switch to Doomben for the Derby hasn’t enhanced the chances of Here He Comes, the winner of three races against the older horses at home as Comin’through before his Queensland campaign.

He was sixth in his Australian debut in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate and showed improvement to finish a last-start fourth in the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes.

“That track at Eagle Farm last time was so bad – it was worse than anything at home,” Logan said. “He did well to run as well as he did.

“He’s very well in himself, but my concern is Doomben. He’s a big-striding horse and coming back to 2200 metres is a worry when we’ve been working toward 2400, but that’s what we’ve got and hopefully he can make the most of it.”
NZ Racing News

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