As we move to the Sunshine Coast for a massive days racing I have searched for a stable who have a few runners engaged, and that I feel could win a race or two. With head trainer Rob Heathcote taking a break, Melissa Leitch is in charge of the stables and I caught up with Mel to get a rundown of their runners heading into Saturday.
They have two runners in the Glasshouse sprint, Woorim and Gundy Son. Both have been in great form and have to be good chances in the 1400m event. As expected Mel said that Woorim would not like any more rain with the 58.5kg he has to carry. The same goes for Gundy Son as he is not a noted wet tracker, but is in career best form. Neither will get conditions to suit on the weekend, but you would be a game punter to completely put a line through them.
A really nice horse that is improving all the time and who I have a lot of time for is Simmering. Mel told me that he is in good shape. “The wet track won’t worry him and he will be competitive. He probably should have won last start, he has been unlucky and we have looked at this race as we couldn’t get him in the QLD Guineas.” Leitch said.
I also asked if there was a chance we could see the horse in Grafton for the guineas (1600m) down there, and there is a chance but they will look at that after he come through the weekend. It looks like a race tailor made for this bloke and I don’t think many could beat him.
The other interesting runner for the stable on the day in Solzhenitsyn. He will also appreciate the sting out of the ground according to Mel. “His wins have been impressive in New Zealand, but in Ellerslie on the big track. He has been at Doomben and we are keen to get to the big track this weekend.” Melissa told me.
I feel all the team’s horses can run well on the weekend and while Rob has been away he team of staff he has underneath him are doing a fantastic job as always! It is a credit to Melissa Leitch, Robert and Michael O’Leary and all the other staff to keep the premiership team ticking over and keeping the winners coming while the boss is on a break. Including the very impressive winner last week Excellantes. Good luck them on the weekend.
**In other news for the punters who want the early Tattsbet Jackpot information for the weekend it is as follows.
SATURDAY 2/7
| POOL | VENUE | RACE | CARRYOVER | RACE NAME |
| First4 | SUNSHINE COAST (BR) | 7 | $155,679 | GLASSHOUSE HANDICAP |
| Treble | SUNSHINE COAST (BR) | – | $27,788 | RACES 6, 7 & 8 |
| POOL | VENUE | RACE | CARRYOVER | RACE NAME |
| Trifecta | ALBION PARK (BT) | 1 | $33,068 | M2 TO M3 |
Tattsbet.com
