The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained four-year-old mare QURAYSHA can score a second-up win when she contests the $27,000 Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1200m from Bairnsdale racecourse, Australia on Monday.
Lightly-raced QURAYSHA is second-up off a five-month spell and was last seen checking home an unlucky second place over 1000m at Warracknabeal on 20 September. That day, after jumping a well backed $3.2 chance, she was slow to begin and settled at the rear of the small nine-horse race before being held up for clear running from the 400m to the 200m.
QURAYSHA charged home late once finding clear air, missing by a nose. With fitness now on her side, while taking what appears to be a positive step up in trip, QURAYSHA can add a second career win to her name.
Concocted to atone for Berry
Four-year-old gelding CONCOCTED is well placed to bounce back for a win under jockey Tommy Berry in the $45,000 Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1500m from Newcastle racecourse, Australia on Tuesday.
CONCOCTED is a two-time winner and three-time place-getter from nine starts to date and will be finding the conditions this week’s race much easier than recent assignments. Since winning a $50K BM64 Handicap at Hawkesbury three starts ago, he has since contested two $120K BM72 Handicaps, checking home second place two starts ago but failing to make an impact in his most recent start.
Taking a class drop this week and stepping away from an ideal barrier 1 for Berry, the Nathan Doyle-trained gelding is poised for a return to form.
