Good draw provides hope for Meet Mr Taylor
Swiss Ace Plate and Mooloolaba Cup to be held at Corbould Park on Saturday.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RACING: Punters are backing Meet Mr Taylor to keep his perfect record from good barriers intact in Saturday’s Swiss Ace Plate at the Sunshine Coast.
Trainer Kelly Schweida had to take a second look when acceptors came out on Wednesday after Meet Mr Taylor came up with the inside barrier for the $105,000 feature.
The five-year-old has been beaten off sticky draws at his past two runs.
In six of nine starts this calendar year, he’s jumped from the outside three barriers. He’s also been scratched three times after draws of 15, 12 and 15.
When he’s jumped from gate six or better, Meet Mr Taylor is unbeaten in five starts.
Ladbrokes punters have been quick out of the blocks, backing him from an opening quote of $3.20 into $2.80 yesterday.
“It’s certainly better than last time. One’s a whole lot better than 10,” Schweida said.
Tarzan edged out Meet Mr Taylor at Eagle Farm last month and is better served at the weights this time, but Schweida is hopeful the barriers can offset that imbalance.
“My bloke is learning all the time. I thought he was pretty brave last time. One stride past the post, he put his head down,” he said.
“The winner did a good job with the big weight and I don’t take him lightly on his home track, but we didn’t have a lot of luck.
“We’re not the only two chances in the race. There’s a bit of depth there, but I think (Meet Mr Taylor) has a lot going for him this week.”
Schweida’s other stable headliner, The Odyssey, will run in the Gold Edition Plate (1200m) on December 14.
The trainer is unsure whether he will have another run before then, but has given The Odyssey a week out of the stable to freshen up in readiness for his summer targets.
The $105,000 Mooloolaba Cup will also be held on a big day of racing.
‘Have a crack’: Gauntlet thrown down for SEQ track stars
An increased cash prize pool is set to draw Olympic, Paralympic and rising star athletes from across Queensland to the Sunshine Coast this weekend for the 2025 Track Challenge. See what the athletes had to say.
Young guns: 57 players to watch in Connell Cup U17s club league
Have you wondered where your NRL club’s debut players come from? Most come from this competition, the Connell Cup, an elite U17 club competition. Here’s 50+ players to watch here ahead of Saturday’s opener.