Seventeen milers have been included in nominations for Saturday’s Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1630m) at Doomben Racecourse this Saturday; a race that is undoubtedly shaping as the most highly-anticipated on 2016 Victory Stakes Day.
Too Good To Refuse has been included in 2016 Gunsynd Classic nominations. Photo: Daniel Costello
Desleigh Forster is spoiled for choice with the talented three-year-olds she currently has in work and has included all of Cylinder Beach, I’m Belucci and Too Good To Refuse in 2016 Gunsynd Classic nominations.
Cylinder Beach more than stamped himself as a horse to follow through the 2015 edition of the Brisbane Winter Carnival and has so-far posted a commendable one race win and three minors through only six starts.
Debuting for third in the Coca Cola Amatil Handicap (1050m) on April 18th, Cylinder Beach made a credible transition to black type company when fifth in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
Mustering a big turn of foot to finish third in the Group 3 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) on Doomben 10,000 Day, the Showcasing gelding was arguably most impressive when running on late for fourth in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 6th.
Resuming in spring for third in the Bowermans Furniture BM70 (1400m), Cylinder Beach has not been seen at the races since winning the James Boag’s Premium Maiden Plate (1640m) on November 3rd.
I’m Belucci experienced something of a meteoric rise to prominence in spring and will relish the conditions of the Gunsynd Classic fifth-up.
Ending a strong 2015 campaign a close second in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), the Captain Sonador colt ran fourth in the Allan Rohde 60th Handicap (1600m) on February 27th but failed to make anything of an impact in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 19th.
Having returned to Brisbane for a close second in the Jim Beam 3.y.o Handicap (2020m) on March 26th, I’m Belucci may require a good barrier to be any chance in dropping back in distance on Saturday.
Too Good To Refuse concluded his 2015 campaign fifth in the Spring Champion Stakes and returned this time for fourth in the BRC Membership Handicap (1350m) on January 30th.
Suffering a minor ailment during the running of the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400mn) on February 20th, the Rothesay gelding resumed for fifth in a Doomben minor over 1350m on April 2nd before returning to winning form in the Toowoomba Guineas (1625m) on April 16th.
Godolphin have experienced good success in Brisbane Winter Carnival races through recent years and are sure to be well represented on Saturday once more after John O’Shea included Miami Dade in 2016 Gunsynd Classic nominations.
Miami Dade undoubtedly faces his biggest career test to date in what will be his first black type race in the Gunsynd Classic, but won the a pair of New South Wales mile races through March before finishing third in the TAB.com.au BM70 (1600m) most recently.
The 2016 Gunsynd Classic field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
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2016 Gunsynd Classic Nominations
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3534x31x | CYLINDER BEACH (NZ) | G | 3 | Desleigh Forster |
| 2 | 5x62314x00 | DAWNIE PERFECT | F | 3 | Clarry Conners |
| 3 | 9x458111x2 | EAGLE WAY | G | 3 | Bryan Guy |
| 4 | 05×2104 | FLYING LABELLE | G | 3 | Kelly Schweida |
| 5 | 738×221122 | HAVASAY | G | 3 | Liam Birchley |
| 6 | 4132×02402 | I’M BELUCCI | C | 3 | Desleigh Forster |
| 7 | 94x64253x4 | KUTTAMURRA AL | G | 3 | Robert Heathcote |
| 8 | 00×35113 | MIAMI DADE | G | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 9 | 51×2 | RENEGED | C | 3 | John P Thompson |
| 10 | 022×3261 | RUM ’N’ SONG | G | 3 | Lawrie Mayfield-Smith |
| 11 | 1Dx1475x93 | SHOTACROSS THE BOW | G | 3 | David Murphy |
| 12 | 53×152417 | SKYTREK | G | 3 | Barry Lockwood |
| 13 | 844411 | SNAPPER | C | 3 | John Morrisey |
| 14 | 3x25x58x18 | TAP THIS | F | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 15 | 77×661646 | THERMAL UNIT | G | 3 | David Kelly |
| 16 | 3115×34051 | TOO GOOD TO REFUSE | C | 3 | Desleigh Forster |
| 17 | 770×5 | WREKKAAR (NZ) | G | 3 | David Kelly |
