G3 winner Shooting for Gold to return in Bribie Island Sprint

[Wandering Eyes]

Shooting For Gold (orange), pictured winning the Group 3 The Heath, will return in the Bribie Island Sprint on Saturday. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli).

Shooting for Gold returns to the race track in Saturday’s Bribie Island sprint (1000m) at Eagle Farm looking to take the next step in his promising career.

The Steve O’Dea-Matthew Hoysted co-trained five-year-old gelding is embarking on a new preparation following a freshen-up which could see him reach his potential this season with some quality wins.

Since breaking his maiden at Doomben over 1110m on August 20, 2020, Shooting for Gold has saluted seven more times and earned in excess of $500,000.

His biggest victory came only months ago when he captured the Group 3 The Heath, a stakes race over 1100m at Caulfield when ridden by Damian Lane.

That day he carried 57kgs and accounted for a couple of handy sprinters, Generation and Star Patrol, producing a strong finishing burst from sixth spot approaching the turn.

He warmed up for his comeback with a professional trial win at Deagon over 1050m last month indicating he is forward enough to run a bold race on Saturday.

He won’t have the services of world-class jockey Lane on Saturday but outstanding stable apprentice Jaden Lloyd will be in the pig skin.

Shooting for Gold, who did not race until he was three, is a horse who produces his best when fresh.

He hasn’t been unplaced in his 20-start career when fresh boasting a (5-2-2-1) first-up record.

He also loves the 1000m dash (6-2-2-1) and relishes the open spaces at Eagle Farm where he has three wins and second from seven starts.

Shooting for Gold pulled marble one on Saturday which should allow Lloyd to possie up behind the leaders.

“He’s obviously a horse who likes those 1000 to 1100-metre races, trainer O’Dea told HorseBetting.com.au.

“He’s got a good record at Eagle Farm and he’s had a little break since winning in Melbourne (Caulfield).

“He’s prepped up well and he trialled nicely at Doomben last week, albeit he was a little bit fresh but he still had plenty left late.

”He worked quite well (Tuesday morning) and he has a good gate, can carry weight and be on the speed.

“He looks the class runner of the race.”

O’Dea said he wasn’t surprised bookmakers had his progressive five-year-old a $3.10 pre-post favourite (Ladbrokes.com.au) to take out the Bribie which has produced some fairly handy sprinters in the past.

“I’m not surprised at all he’s favourite. He is coming down from group racing in Melbourne to Listed grade, even though he goes up in weight.

With the in-form Tony Gollan trained and Jim Byrne ridden Le Palmier (barrier two) and the speedy Je Suis Belle (barrier four), the pace should be genuine which will suit Shooting for Gold who shares topweight with Niccanova carrying 59kgs.

Lloyd, who knows the horse well, will not be able to claim under the conditions of the race, but he should be able to sit back and watch the race unfold in front of him.

Le Palmier is a jump-and-run type having led all the way last start to win over 1000m at the Gold Coast last weekend easily accounting for Je Suis Belle.

The extra distance and the bigger track are no issue for La Palmier who has won over the course four times already.

Provided he comes through Saturday’s race unscathed Shooting for Gold will more than likely back up in the Falvelon Stakes (1200m) on Boxing Day and then tackle the Magic Millions Snippets Stakes on the Gold Coast on January 15.

Shooting for Gold could give the O’Dea-Hoysted partnership a running double with handy stablemate Better Get Set chasing a hat-trick considered a solid chance at $6 in the Listed Ladbrokes Just Now (1300m).

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