Trainer Chris Munce is hoping for a case of de ja vu in the QTIS Three-Year-old Jewel at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Munce will saddle exciting prospect Johnny Whitesox and Skate To Paris in the $125,000 feature and hopes the pair can repeat their last start clash with another quinella.
Both were among the tailenders when they met at Doomben two weeks ago with Johnny Whitesox prevailing by a long neck over his stablemate.
Johnny Whitesox is a son of renowned wet track sire Show A Heart and has three wins and two seconds from six starts while Skate To Paris, a daughter of Bradbury’s Luck, has one win from eight starts.
Munce also will saddle up Elaborate and Boomsara in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Jewel and Martinelli in the Class Six Plate.
Munce is confident Johnny Whitesox and Skate To Paris will measure up to the major three-year-old races during the Brisbane winter carnival.
“Both are fit and well and luck in running will play a big part,” Munce said.
“They’ve both got good ability but Skate To Paris has drawn better than Johnny Whitesox this time.
“If you go on the barriers alone you would probably favour Skate To Paris (barrier 8) but Johnny Whitesox (barrier 15) has plenty of ability.”
Munce will aim both sprinters towards the Brisbane winter carnival and hopes to keep them apart.
“I’ve no doubt Johnny Whitesox will get out to 1600 metres eventually but he’s not a (Queensland) Derby horse,” he said.
“Skate To Paris is in a similar mould and will be competitive between 1200 and 1600 metres.
“The Queensland Guineas looks the logical target for Johnny Whitesox while Skate To Paris will probably be kept to the three-year-old fillies races.”
Munce has opted for a change of gear for his two hopes in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Jewel.
“Boomsara will wear blinkers for the first time while winkers will go on Elaborate,” Munce said.
Boomsara won at the Gold Coast on debut before a last start fifth to Plumaro at Doomben two weeks ago while Elaborate finished fourth to Racecourse Road in his debut at the Sunshine Coast on March 4.
“Boomsara hasn’t drawn too well (barrier 14) but he’s very fit after two starts while Elaborate is improving,” he said.
“His first-up run was terrific at the Sunshine Coast and it was a very strong race.”
– Racing Queensland
