Shogun Sun the Favourite for QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap

Written on the 25 August 2017

Trainer Kelly Schweida was in two minds on Thursday whether he would enter Shogun Sun ($3.60) favourite into the QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. But the Golden Rose hopeful is in need of some extra prizemoney, so this race was too tempting not to consider.

Earning more than $89,000 to date, Schweida is not convinced the Written Tycoon sired gelding has enough to make the Golden Rose field.

"The problem is that it is a different game down there in Sydney. Here we race virtually the same horses, but they come at you in waves down there to qualify for a race like the Golden Rose," he said.

"The bottom line is that Saturday is a chance to get more prize money. Also if he doesn't finish the race off well, it will be a waste of time going back to Sydney."

The three-year-old gelding has excelled since moving up to 1200 metres on a soft surface so Schweida isn't sure going back to a shorter race will suit.

"This is a hot little race and the 1100m probably suits a couple of the others better than it does mine," Schweida said. "I want to run him in the Run To The Rose and it's always been a question whether we have this start before then or just trial or give him a jumpout.

"I will take his bloods (Friday) and that might tell me whether we run. If we do, I hope he's classy enough to run over the top of them."

The Golden Rose hopeful has freshened up as he prepares to take another step towards the Group One race in Sydney.

He spent a week on the water walker after he returned from his win over 1200m at Randwick in Sydney three weeks ago. And it was a surprise win too when Shogun Sun at $20 beat the $2.45 favourite Addictive Nature who is the market leader for Saturday's Group Three Mind Dynasty over 1400 metres at Rosehill.

"I want to run him in the Run To The Rose (September 9) before he goes on hopefully to the Golden Rose (September 23)", Schweida said.

"The choices were to give him another run here or trial him. The race on Saturday is 1100 metres and I am coming back in distance with him which isn't ideal.

"But he has had a week on the water walker so he should be on the fresh side."

Schweida has booked three-kilo claiming apprentice jockey Jag Guthmann Chester for the ride this Saturday. 

"Jag impressed me when he won on another one of my horses Cellargirl last week," Schweida said.

Whypeeo ($3.80) who had an unlucky last start, sits slightly behind favourite Shogun Sun. Yet to win but edging up there with a third place in a Group Two and a second placing, Italia Bella sits at $4.80. Whereas, Basara ($8) had an impressive debut win last month.

(Photo: Shogun Sun - Photo Source: AAP)