Clinton Taylor’s in-form Hellish and Ricky Vale’s Track Tale will clash at Doomben Saturday.

TAYLOR KEEN TO TEST CHINNY BOOM’S LITTLE SIS IN BRISBANE

Berserker trainer Clinton Taylor will adopt a sink or swim strategy with Chinny Boom’s baby sister I’m A Condygirl in the $125,000 QTIS Jewel Prelude for 2YO Fillies (1110m) at Doomben on Saturday.

The debutante’s task was made harder than it could have been when she came up with barrier 10 for the race, with a few impressive SEQ trial winners and a previous winner drawing better than her. But Taylor can take some solace with dual winner Sunrays and the promising Cuddles For Kimmy and Boomshanka each drawing wider gates.

A $230,000 purchase from the March 2024 Magic Millions Sale, and raced by Laird and Sonya Morgan from Condamine (hence the name), I’m A Condygirl has won two official barrier trials at Callaghan Park. Taylor is now set to line her up in the unrestricted 2YO fillies’ handicap. On February 10th, I’m A Condygirl (Spirit Of Boom – Imanoremiss) strolled home in a 900m trial at Callaghan Park defeating Power Chic and Musee de Louvre. Her previous and only 900m trial back in October was just as convincing when she accounted for stablemate Bolla Bolla Babe and Ask Me Harry. Justin Stanley rode the filly in both trials and as expected he has kept the seat on race day. I’m A Condygirl’s 5YO sister Chinny Boom has won almost $700,000 with her nine victories including the $160,000 Helen Coughlan Stakes F&M, defeating Bezique at Eagle Farm 13 months ago. Chinny Boom, Rockhampton’s premier galloper, is expected to resume racing soon.

ASTAPOR PRIMED FOR DOOMBEN RETURN

Doomben’s big 10 race card will also feature the return to racing of the Clinton Taylor- trained progressive local star Astapor in the QTIS Jewel Prelude 3YO (1110m) at Doomben.

A winner of over $250,000, Astapor won three races including the 2023 Rockhampton Breeders Plate, a 2YO Plate at Doomben and a 2YO Handicap at Eagle Farm last season. He was also tested at Stakes level, finishing fourth to Storm Boy in the Group 3 Magic Millions BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) and had three starts in southern stakes earlier this season all at Stakes level. Astapor (Tassort – Black Mink) looked slick winning a Rockhampton Trial (900m) on February 10, relegating Shadowen and Parade Ground into minor placings. Raced by Ian Hay, Astapor carries 60kg top weight on Saturday and has drawn barrier three with Justin Stanley in the saddle.

ROCKY HORSES TO CLASH IN DOOMBEN BM78

Clinton Taylor’s in-form Hellish and Ricky Vale’s Track Tale will clash in the Benchmark 78 (1200m) at Doomben. Hellish to be ridden by Justin Stanley hasn’t put a foot wrong with six wins in a row for Taylor, but he faces a real acid test after drawing barrier 15 for Saturday’s race.

A former Victorian, Hellish’s record is unblemished this season and he has been thriving in CQ. At his most recent start, January 30 at Callaghan Park, he just held on to beat Just Super and King Jester in an 1100m open Handicap. He carried 55.5kg and has 58kg under benchmark conditions at Doomben.

Track Tale was beaten out of the placings at his return run at Doomben earlier this month, but her stocks rose for a return to winning form when she came up with barrier 1. With a great record of nine wins and eight placings from 19 starts, Track Tale can bounce back from his first up seventh placing which was far better than it looks on paper. He was beaten under two lengths and copped a buffering at the start and was hampered by another runner close to the winning post.

MAPLE READY TO FLY IN DOOMBEN OPENER

Ricky Vale will also start two runners at Doomben on Saturday. The reigning The Archer winning trainer has Rockhampton and two-time Mackay winner Flying Maple set to run in the $50,000 BM 70 Handicap (1110m). A $6,000 purchase at the 2022 Gold Coast March Magic Millions Sale, Flying Maple is by the Nature Strip’s sire Nicconi from a daughter of Choisir, La Balene. She is proving to be a good money spinner so far, winning almost $67,000. She won her first race at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park last June and subsequently posted two Mackay 1100m wins in October and November.

RJC CEO, David Aldred.