Azkadellia to grace new Eagle Farm course proper with historic spin around track in Thursday trials

VICTORIAN trainer Ciaron Maher will be in Brisbane on Thursday to oversee speed machine Azkadellia have a historic spin around Eagle Farm.

Azkadellia during early morning trackwork at Doomben last week. Picture: Liam Kidston

AS Stradbroke Handicap hopefuls jostle for a free pass into the rich race, Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher will be in Brisbane on Thursday to oversee Azkadellia have a historic spin around Eagle Farm.

Azkadellia, the $4.40 Stradbroke favourite, will be in the first crop of horses to trial at the revamped track, which will also host a phantom meeting.

There will be five Eagle trials on Thursday, with heat three featuring Azkadellia, Sir Moments and Traveston Girl, as the track and facilities are tested before the official reopening on Queensland Oaks Day next month.

Nick Hall will ride Azkadellia in the Doomben 10,000 on May 28 before the mare’s main mission in the Stradbroke, where Maher believes she will be much better suited.

“Azkadellia has been ticking over nicely since her win in the Queen Of The Turf and I’m looking forward to seeing her trial at Eagle Farm this week,’’ Maher said.

Damien Oliver scoots along the rails with Azkadellia to win the Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

“I think her get-back racing pattern will suit the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm a lot more than she will be suited by the tight track at Doomben for the 10,000.”

A host of promising three-year-olds will be hoping to win Saturday’s Fred Best Classic at Doomben to gain a free ticket into the Stradbroke.

Brisbane Racing Club chief executive Dave Whimpey during the Eagle Farm redevelopment earlier this year. Picture: Darren England

There are so far 22 nominations for the Group 3 Fred Best (1350m), with the winner afforded exempt status for the Stradbroke.

Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp will have Sold For Song in the Fred Best after the filly produced a striking second behind Takedown in the Gold Coast Guineas recently.

There are some similarities between Sold For Song’s early progression and racing style to 2006 Stradbroke winner La Montagna.

If Sold For Song wins the Fred Best, Kemp will consult with owner Ian Price about running in the Stradbroke.

Jockey Luke Dittman will be told to snag Sold For Song back to the rear of the field in the Fred Best in a bid to produce a withering finish down the outside.

“It sounds weird but I don’t mind if she is last in run at some stage,’’ Kemp says.

“Horses with a finishing burst like her can’t get an interrupted passage on the way through and I’d just like to see her pull to the outside in the straight and come right around them.

“If she happens to win on Saturday, we’d probably have to have a crack at the Stradbroke.”

Surprise packet Sold For Song will contest the Group 3 Fred Best on Saturday. Picture: Jono Searle

Originally published as Azkadellia to grace new Eagle Farm course proper with historic spin around track in Thursday trials