Deagon trainer Jason Edwards has written off the Toowoomba Cup defeat of Sir Barnabus and is confident he can return to winning form over his favoured trip in the Listed Queensland Cup at Doomben.
Sir Barnabus could manage only a lacklustre ninth to Alward in the Toowoomba Cup (2000m) on September 26 but Edwards believes the gelding failed to cope with the testing Clifford Park track.
“I know he was disappointing the other day in the Toowoomba Cup but we’re just going to put that down to the track,” Edwards said.
“Some horses don’t appreciate racing there and he had an off day. We’re all entitled to an off day so hopefully he can bounce back.”
Edwards hasn’t been able to fault the condition of Sir Barnabus despite his lengthy campaign.
“Physically he’s fitter and stronger than we’ve ever had him. I’m super happy with him in that regard,” he said.
“If there is a negative it’s that he’s been in work since February.
“He won first up (in May) and it’s a long time to get a horse to peak at the start of a campaign and many months down the track getting him to peak again.”
Four of Sir Barnabus’ nine wins have been at the 2200 metre trip which Edwards believes is another factor in his favour.
“The 2200 metres is where he comes into his own and is at his best,” he said.
Edwards has removed blinkers from Sir Barnabus in another bid to steer his faltering campaign back on track.
TAB fixed odds has posted Sir Barnabus as an $11 chance behind Fun Fact, the $3.20 favourite for the Queensland Cup.
Sir Barnabus will be ridden by Taylor Marshall after Jimmy Orman, who rode the gelding at Toowoomba, elected to switch to Fun Fact.
Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith has sent Grey Lion to Brisbane to contest the Listed Queensland Cup in an attempt to end a long losing streak of almost 18 months.
