Next month’s Queensland Guineas 2017 is the confirmed next-up target for the Toowoomba-trained Dreams Aplenty according to John Zielke so long as all goes right for the galloper this weekend.
Dreams Aplenty will run in Saturday’s Fred Best Classic on way to a shot at the Queensland Guineas – Sunshine Coast Guineas double this winter. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Zielke has described the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival as a “State of Origin” between the local Queensland contingent and the host of interstate raiders chasing the riches in the sunshine state.
On Saturday as the action moves to Eagle Farm Racecourse for Kingsford-Smith Cup Day, Zielke prepares to saddle-up two livewire hopes.
“It’s State Of Origin time and it would be nice to win a big race for Queensland,” he told Racing Queensland.
Zielke has his JJ Atkins-bound filly Ruby Red Heart running in the $250,000 Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) before Dreams Aplenty looks to extend his winning streak in the $150,000 Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m).
“I couldn’t be any happier with both of mine,” he said.
“I got their blood profiles back from Melbourne on Tuesday night and both were spot on.”
Closing the card as Eagle Farm Race 8 at 4:32pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoon, this year’s Fred Best Classic field features a capacity 18 three-year-olds and Dreams Aplenty is drawn a treat in barrier six.
Apprentice Tiffani Brooker retains the ride on the flying son of Dream Ahead who has won his last four starts in Queensland.
Two back he saluted in the Toowoomba Guineas (1625m) before narrowly holding off Violate to win Eagle Farm’s Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) on April 29.
“Dreams Aplenty is about the only one that has kicked the visitors’ butts this year when he won the Gunsynd Classic after talking out the Toowoomba Guineas,” Zielke said.
“Dreams Aplenty’s profile keeps improving and is the best it’s been this preparation.”
A number of the key Fred Best Classic contenders for Saturday have had more recent runs including the $4.80 favourite Good Standing who won the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1350m) on May 13, but Zielke believes the four weeks between runs is ideal for Dreams Aplenty.
“A month between runs for Dreams Aplenty has been a blessing,” he said of the $9 shot in Fred Best Classic betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Zielke will give his galloper two more runs this campaign with Dreams Aplenty to back-up in a fortnight on Stradbroke Handicap Day in the $350,000 Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) before rounding out his prep on July 1 in the $125,000 Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra.
“He’ll go on to both those races unless he shows me he’s getting a little tired then we’ll take him to Melbourne for the spring,” Zielke confirmed.
To back Dreams Aplenty this weekend and in his other upcoming winter racing assignments at the best odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au now.
