A bumper 21 stayers make up the early entries for one of the four Group races on Saturday’s Queensland Oaks Day program in Brisbane, the QTC Cup 2014.
Dances On Stars is one of the top rated QTC Cup 2014 nominees for Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Won last winter by the Peter Snowden-trained Galah who got into the field as an emergency, there is again plenty of talent heading towards a run in the $175,000 Group 2 Magic Millions QTC Cup (1300m).
One of the highest rated hopes in the mix is the Gerald Ryan-trained Dances On Stars, the Snitzel four-year-old looking for their second win in three starts.
Two back at the Gold Coast they enjoyed a victory in the mud in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) before heading to Doomben on May 17.
There they ran a brave fourth to Stradbroke Handicap-bound River Lad in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m), an effort they’re looking to improve on this Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Another Prime Minister’s Cup graduate from Hollindale Day is the fourth placed eight-year-old Belltone.
Ryan has also nominated for Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes winner Hot Snitzel.
The five-year-old went to Queensland on the back of their Sydney win for a sixth to Famous Seamus in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m).
They ran again last Saturday in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) but could only manage to run eighth behind Spirit Of Boom, Ryan considering running them again seven days later.
“We will just see how he is over the next couple of days and if he is OK he might go to the QTC Cup,” Ryan told AAP.
Possibly also on the short seven day back-up into the QTC Cup is David Lawlor’s local Bel Esprit three-year-old Architect.
The youngster ran third to Agitate in the Mick Dittman two back before a fourth behind Eastern Prince last weekend in the Listed Queensland Day (1200m) when beaten just one length.
Other notable QTC Cup hopes include Sunshine Coast filly Doubtfilly coming off a Bribie Handicap third from May 10, Grahame Begg’s General Nediym mare Bennetta coming off an All Aged Stakes sixth in Sydney, Silk Stocking runner-up La Pieta, Group 1 performing New Zealand Sacred Star and the Chris Waller-trained She’s Clean who ran fourth to Srikandi in the Junamo on May 17.
The full QTC Cup 2014 nominations are detailed below, the final field set for release on Wednesday.
Whether it is an Oaks Day showdown, or one of the upcoming Group 1s at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Handicap Day the following Saturday, visit Ladbrokes.com.au for all the hottest odds!
2014 QTC Cup Nominations
Eagle Farm Racecourse – 31/05/2014
| # | Horse | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALMA’S FURY | Tony Gollan | – |
| 2 | ARCHITECT | David J Lawlor | 76 |
| 3 | BELLTONE | Kelso Wood | 104 |
| 4 | BENNETTA | Grahame Begg | – |
| 5 | BLACK CASH | Kelly Doughty | 91 |
| 6 | DANCES ON STARS (NZ) | Gerald Ryan | 102 |
| 7 | DOUBTFILLY | Stuart Kendrick | 94 |
| 8 | EMBLEMS | John O’Shea | – |
| 9 | HOT SNITZEL | Gerald Ryan | – |
| 10 | KINGDOMS (NZ) | Brian Smith | – |
| 11 | LA PIETA | John O’Shea | 87 |
| 12 | LUCKY HUSSLER | Kent Fleming | 95 |
| 13 | MASTHEAD | Chris Waller | – |
| 14 | MISHANI STEALTH | Les Ross | 81 |
| 15 | PHELAN READY | Jason McLachlan | 94 |
| 16 | PLEIADES | John O’Shea | – |
| 17 | SACRED STAR | Tony Pike | – |
| 18 | SHE’S CLEAN | Chris Waller | 101 |
| 19 | STEEL ZIP | Pat Duff | 98 |
| 20 | THAT’S THE ONE | Barry Baldwin | 94 |
| 21 | VELROSSO | Chris Waller | – |
