Patinack Farm’s new Queensland team headed by assistant trainer Brett Killion and apprentice Tim Bell are hoping to strike immediate success together at Doomben on Wednesday.
Bell is looking for his first city win for Patinack Farm boss Nathan Tinkler since his appointment as the operation’s Queensland stable rider a fortnight ago.
The 18-year-old rode his first winner since joining Patinack Farm when lightly-raced three-year-old Transporter romped home by more than five lengths in a 1400-metre maiden at Caloundra on Sunday.
Killion, who is affectionately known as “Lofty”, started duties as an assistant trainer to Sydney-based boss John Thompson at Wadham Park in the Gold Coast hinterland on Monday.
Killion previously worked for 16 years as foreman for the Gai Waterhouse stable at Tulloch Lodge in Sydney and will be in charge at his first race meeting under the Patinack Farm banner when he saddles three runners at Doomben.
His first runners will be Essence’nrestraint and Shamardashing in the Lyndhurst Stud Class Four (1640m) while Just Been Lucky could make her comeback in the Sita Environmental Handicap (1110m).
Thompson has warned a wide barrier, 18, may delay the return of Just Been Lucky who hasn’t started since finishing seventh to Funtantes in the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in April.
“Just Been Lucky is probably the best of our runners in Brisbane tomorrow but I’m not sure yet if they’ll all start,” he said.
Just Been Lucky began her career with Thompson in Sydney, winning three times from her first 12 starts before transferring to Queensland.
The daughter of Encosta De Lago has been placed twice from her three Queensland appearances but Thompson has no plans to send her back south for the spring.
“She normally goes good first-up but she’s got a big weight and a bad barrier,” Thompson said.
“I haven’t barrier trialled her yet but she’s had a jumpout.
“We sent her to Queensland last preparation with the aim of getting some black type and she achieved that when she was placed last campaign.
“Our aim with her now is to just go through the classes in Brisbane and I doubt she’ll go back to Sydney.”
Thompson was referring to Just Been Lucky’s fast-finishing third to Jasminka in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) at Doomben on April 9.
AAP TURF