A talented field of 13 sprinters have been confirmed to line up at Ipswich Racecourse this weekend’s to contest the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m), highlighted by several notable performers over the 2014 racing calendar so-far.
Alma's Fury has been confirmed in the final field for the 2014 Eye Liner Stakes. Photo: Daniel Costello
Contesting and winning two strong barrier trials over May and early June, trainer Jason McLachlan is confident of a polished first-up performance from Phelan Ready in the 2014 Eye Liner Stakes.
While unable to string together much of a consistent run over form over the spring and summer of 2013, the More Than Ready gelding is a proven performer over events during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, producing some impressive results throughout the 2013 edition.
Earning more than $3.5 million over 46 competitive starts to date, Phelan Ready was a stand-out over the two-year-old events of 2009; strolling home to win the Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic (1200m) and Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).
Allocated the slightly wide barrier 8, Phelan Ready will have to carry just 56kgs in the Eye Liner Stakes and is more than a chance of success this weekend.
Also included in the final field of the 2014 Eye Liner Stakes is well-trialled gelding Alma’s Fury, confirmed to make just his second start since transferring to the care of in-form Queensland trainer Tony Gollan.
Running on from the rear of the field to finish a fighting seventh in the particularly well-contested Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) first-up on May 31st, the Refuse To Bend gelding has secured an impressive total of six race victories and a further 12 minor places from 46 competitive starts to date, and was arguably the biggest winner at Wednesday’s barrier draw having been allocated the ideal gate 4.
A strong and consistent performer over the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, Alma’s Fury claimed places in both the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) and Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1550m), the latter of which he left from barrier 4.
Fresh off the back of an impressive victory in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm first-up on May 31st, Ellawisdom is offered a great chance to make it two from two in her current preparation after being allocated barrier 3.
Claiming six race wins and five places from just 27 competitive starts so far, the Top Echelon mare has noted experience and success over this weekend’s racing distance on Queensland tracks, and will be particularly difficult to beat if offered a clear racing line upon finding the final straight of the Eye Liner Stakes.
Charged with overcoming the wide and awkward barrier 12, Chris Waller-trained journeyman Masthead has received the ideal lead-in to the 2014 Eye Liner Stakes and is further boosted by the confirmation of jockey Chris Munce.
Returning to racing in prime condition since arriving in the care of Waller from Michael Freedman’s Singapore stables, the Written Tycoon gelding finished third in the Hawkesbury Rush Quality (1100m) first-up, and while unlucky to be blocked for a run and fourth in the Listed Star Stakes (1300m) on May 17th, returned to strong form when finishing second in the QTC Cup last time out.
In-form gelding Black Cash will leave from the inside barrier in the 2014 Eye Liner Stakes, while Steel Zip will have to overcome the outside barrier 13.
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2014 Eye Liner Stakes Final Field and Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 65337678×7 | ALMA’S FURY | Tony Gollan | Jim Byrne | 4 | 59kg | 100 |
| 2 | 4034313056 | STEEL ZIP | Pat Duff | Brad Stewart | 13 | 58kg | 98 |
| 3 | 3989368×75 | STARTSMEUP | Bruce W Hill | Timothy Bell | 7 | 57kg | 96 |
| 4 | 24x755x342 | MASTHEAD | Chris Waller | Chris Munce | 12 | 56.5kg | 95 |
| 5 | 70x796020x | PHELAN READY | Jason McLachlan | Eddie Wilkinson | 8 | 56kg | 94 |
| 6 | 1141636×94 | BLACK CASH | Kelly Doughty | Michael Cahill | 1 | 55kg | 92 |
| 7 | 07x000x004 | JETSET LAD (NZ) | Brian Smith | Anthony Allen (a) | 6 | 54.5kg | 91 |
| 8 | 313577×221 | REGULAR | Bryan Guy | Janette K Johnson (a) | 9 | 54kg | 89.5 |
| 9 | 55913572×1 | ELLAWISDOM | Trevor Thomas | – | 3 | 54kg | 88 |
| 10 | 1311020×63 | QFIGHTER | Matthew Dunn | Tegan Harrison (a) | 10 | 54kg | 87 |
| 11 | 75112841×2 | PLAYITSTRAIGHT | Barry Lockwood | – | 11 | 54kg | 86 |
| 12 | 16441745×0 | BILLY AUCASH | Brian Smith | – | 5 | 54kg | 85 |
| 13 | 0x2120x520 | INTO THE RED | Kelso Wood | Jason Taylor | 2 | 54kg | 84 |
