Progressive Kiwi stayer Lord Arthur looks set to make an impact on the Brisbane winter carnival, commencing with Saturday’s Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.
The lightly-raced three-year-old tunes up for the Queensland Derby when he lines up over in the Group 3 over 2200m.
Lord Arthur has blossomed since getting out to the longer distances in New Zealand and comes here off a win in the Group 2 Championship Stakes over 2100m at Ellerslie.
On that occasion the gelding settled back early but surged home to win in a manner that suggests he will relish today’s trip and further.
While he hasn’t raced for a month, Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are master trainers of stayers and know how to prepare a three-year-old to win feature races in Australia.
He also gets the services of James McDonald and the leading hoop should be able to find the right position in the run from gate four.
Last-start Adelaide winner Lite'N In My Veins looks an each way betting proposition when he heads north for the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup over 1600m.
The Maher-Eustace six-year-old was back in the winner’s list when scoring at Morphettville three weeks ago, his fifth career win at the mile.
He is drawn a little wide but there doesn’t appear to be a lot of early tempo which may allow him to work across to settle on pace without doing too much early work.
Jamie Kah is a good judge of speed so if she is allowed an easy time up front Lite’n In My Veins could take some passing at the business end.
BRISBANE BEST
BET OF THE DAY: Race 3 #8 Lord Arthur @ $3.50
EACH WAY PLAY: Race 5 #4 Lite’n In My Veins @ $7.00
