After a frustrating few weeks on the Brisbane race tracks, premier Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote will have his fingers crossed for a change of luck as he prepares to saddle up his brilliant mare Fillydelphia for the Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes 2011 at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Fillydelphia shoots for her second straight black-type win in Brisbane on Saturday
One of two black-type features running in Brissie this Saturday, the $80,000 Listed Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes (1600m) on Monday attracted 15 nominations with Fillydelphia the top-rated of the hopefuls.
After news last week that Heathcote’s promising six-year-old Work The Room had suffered a likely career ending injury and would be unavailable to represent Heathcote throughout the Brisbane Summer Racing series, it was more heartache for the horseman last Saturday when favourite Excellantes missed out on the Keith Noud Quality Handicap win beaten a nose by Listen Son.
It was a gallant effort from Excellantes who lost few admirers having come so close after jumping from barrier 11, the winner having gotten the gun run from the inside alley.
This Saturday Heathcote returns to Eagle Farm hoping his Bianconi four-year-old Fillydelphia will be dealt a better hand and a better barrier as she vies for her second Listed victory on the trot.
A winner of eight of her 20 career starts to date, including three of her four runs this season, Group 3 Rough Habit Plate champion Fillydelphia was last seen defeating stablemate Humma by an easy margin in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1630m) at Doomben on November 19.
Humma is also nominated for the Recognition Stakes on Saturday, the Iglesia eight-year-old looking for their first win since a narrow victory over Viking Hero in the Group 3 Queensland Chairman’s Handicap (2020m) at Doomben back in May.
Other notable Recognition Stakes 2011 nominees include defending champion Pepperwood last seen running a credible fifth to Lamasery in the Listed Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, Poor Judge looking to bounce back after finishing last in the Keith Noud, Gold Coast galloper Fifteen Carat, Norm Hilton’s last-start Doomben winner Carry Me Bluey, Brisbane Handicap third placegetter Rockdale, John Thompson’s Sydney mare Wonderful Lass and Ipswich Cup runner-up Danagaze.
The 2011 Recognition Stakes final field and barriers, as well as betting markets on the Eagle Farm clash, are due out later this week so bookmark us here at Races.com.au to view the acceptances and odds.
Why not get ready for the weekend’s racing action right now and save a last minute rush by heading to Luxbet and opening your new account with the country’s best online bookmaker.
If you deposit and quote the promo code BONUSBET at Luxbet this week, you will also enjoy a bonus bet valued up to $400!
2011 Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes Nominations
| # | Horse | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CARRY ME BLUEY | Norm Hilton | 87.5 |
| 2 | CORNWALL PARK (NZ) | Alan Bailey | 86 |
| 3 | DANAGAZE | Lawrie Mayfield-Smith | 87 |
| 4 | FIFTEEN CARAT | Howard Wilson | 90 |
| 5 | FILLYDELPHIA | Robert Heathcote | 102 |
| 6 | HUMMA | Robert Heathcote | 98 |
| 7 | LUCKY DUBAI | Kim Craft | 89 |
| 8 | PEPPERWOOD | Liam Birchley | 99 |
| 9 | POOR JUDGE | Wayne Nugent | 101 |
| 10 | ROCKDALE (NZ) | John Morrisey | 90 |
| 11 | ROYAL REIGN (NZ) | William Pholi | 94 |
| 12 | SECRETS UNTOLD | Phillip Cox | 95 |
| 13 | WONDERFUL LASS | John P Thompson | 85 |
| 14 | WRITER | Danny J Bougoure | 85 |
| 15 | YUMMY (NZ) | Harold Norman | 76.5 |
