Xtravagant plan for Queensland winter coming right up

MANAGING owner David Ellis said a decision on a Brisbane campaign for New Zealand star Xtravagant will be made on Tuesday after his return to winning form on Saturday.

Brisbane run possible: New Zealand colt Xtravagant winning at Ellerslie in December. Picture: Nick Reed

MANAGING owner David Ellis said a decision on a Brisbane campaign for New Zealand star Xtravagant will be made on Tuesday after his return to winning form at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge hinted on Saturday Xtravagant may “have a little break” but on Sunday, Ellis said the team was “50-50” on whether the colt would come to Brisbane or not.

“I just want to have a good look at the horse and see how he has come through the run,’’ Ellis said. ‘‘We haven’t made our mind up yet.

“Either way, he will end up in the spring in Melbourne and go through the Group 1s all the way to the Cox Plate.

“He’s by Pentire out of a Zabeel mare and there’s no reason he won’t run 2000m, especially around Moonee Valley.”

Hopefully for Queensland’s sake, Ellis and his Te Akau syndicate use the deeds of Winx as a guide to their Cox Plate ambitions.

Dane Ripper and Might And Power also campaigned in Queensland before winning their 1997 and 1998 Cox Plates.

Ellis said Xtravagant ran the quickest winning time (1:8.68) in the Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes since 1972 and the fastest since the change to metrics.

Ellis said he was pleased to see Xtravagant settle behind the speed on Saturday.

“We sent him to the front in the 2000 Guineas after he drew gate 13 because I wanted to take bad luck out of the equation,’’ Ellis said.

‘‘When he won the WFA race here there were a couple that headed him. On Saturday, he hadn’t raced for eight weeks and it was sensible to take a sit and give him the easiest run as possible.”

ROSE OUT FOR WINTER

THE Winter Carnival suffered a blow on Sunday with trainer David Vandyke revealing filly Yankee Rose would be spelled because some hoof filler had broken away from her troublesome heel.

Vandyke claims it will not be a long-term problem, but enough to see her out of the carnival and instead prepared for the Princess Series in the spring.

Trainer David Vandyke with prize horse Yankee Rose, who will now miss the winter carnival. Picture: Lachie Millard

Originally published as Xtravagant plan for Queensland winter coming right up