Kelly Schweida says Darktown Strutter is ready to win in Brisbane after Gold Coast success

KELLY Schweida says Darktown Strutter is ready to secure a breakthrough victory in Brisbane following a dramatic win at the Gold Coast.

Darktown Strutter won the Class 3 Handicap (900m) at Aquis Park with jockey Bridget Grylls. Picture: Mike Batterham.

KELLY Schweida says Darktown Strutter is ready to secure a breakthrough victory in Brisbane following a dramatic win at the Gold Coast.

Darktown Strutter overcame the loss of two foot plates — essentially shoes for race horses — to win Saturday’s Class 3 Handicap (900m) at Aquis Park with jockey Bridget Grylls, breaking an 11-year-old class record in the process with the 50.26 second run.

“It was really impressive,” Schweida said.

“She lost two plates in the run so it’s a pretty good effort really.

“I have never had anyone lose two plates. She lost one at the front a hind one.”

Schweida had no doubt the loss of the plates affected what was still a dominating performance.

“It’s hard for them to get grip like that but she did a good job,” Schweida said.

“I would think it would have to affect it’s running. There is no way of proving it but it would be like running with one shoe on. It would have to have some effect with getting grip.”

It was Darktown Strutter’s third win at the Gold Coast and the fourth victory of her seven-race career.

The three-year-old filly — sired by champion stallion I Am Invincible — has so far been unable to mirror the success at Doomben in three attempts but Schweida is confident that is about to change.

Schweida will take Darktown Strutter to an 1100m at Doomben in a fortnight where he hopes she can find the line first.

“I think she is ready to win in town,” Schweida said.

“She doesn’t like a soft track and that is what she had one on of her runs there.

“In another she missed the start and got caught deep. We are hoping she can do her best. All she can do is win at the moment and run good times.”