Top driver Shane Graham believes the ability to find a clear pathway with Turn It Up in the first 200 metres of the race will determine his chances of taking home the Group 1 Redcliffe Gold Cup on Saturday night.
The lightly-raced seven-year-old is the lone 10m handicap runner while the Belinda McCarthy-trained Mach Shard will keep himself company on the 20m backmark.
Trained by Vicki Rasmussen, Turn It Up meets Mach Shard on 10m better terms from when he was runner-up to the latter in the Flashing Red Hcp at Albion Park three weeks ago, but Graham believes it may prove an advantage to occupy the back line.
“My biggest problem is getting through that much traffic on a tricky track like Redcliffe,” Graham said.
“I’ll be right on a helmet from the 10m strand where Mach Shard will probably have more clear air a further 10m back.”
Graham said he couldn’t be happier with the son of Courage Under Fire.
“He has improved each start this time in and he ran his last 400m in 25.4sec at Albion Park,” he said.
“He steps well from the stand and is ready to go.”
Graham is hoping Turn It Up stays fit and healthy enough to play a prominent role during the Queensland winter carnival.
“He suffers a bit from arthritis and bad feet but if I can keep him sound, he should have a good carnival,” he said.
“He is a naturally athletic horse, so he doesn’t need a lot of work between races.”
The reigning Vicbred Super Series (2YO Fillies) champion Amore Vita is a long odds-on favorite to prevail in the Group 3 Redcliffe Oaks.
The Nathan Purdon-prepared pacer has drawn the pole and should Cameron Hart urge his charge sufficiently to hold the lead from the inside draw, the race appears a foregone conclusion.
Purdon believes the daughter of Art Major will be improved by her win at Albion Park a fortnight ago.
“She had a big float trip up from Victoria and didn’t bounce back after her first run up here like she usually does,” Purdon said.
“Her work since though has been good, so she should be hard to beat.”
Amore Vita will be aiming to complete a hat-trick of Oaks wins with both the South East and Queensland features firmly in her sights during the coming weeks.
Bathurst three-year-old Ripp is expected to salute at his first interstate venture in the Group 3 Redcliffe Derby.
Bookmakers anticipate the last-start APG (3YO Colts and Geldings) Final winner will overcome his outside front row draw and chalk up a fifth consecutive victory.
