Trish Dunell
The weather in Queensland is the least of Nigel Tiley’s carnival worries.
The Pukekohe Park trainer has his versatile last-start Gr.2 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner Megablast in Brisbane and underfoot conditions will make little difference to the six-year-old.
“As we know he comes into his own when it rains, but he’s also very competitive on top of the ground,” Tiley said.
Megablast will make his Queensland debut in the Gr.3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben this weekend with Michael Coleman, who was aboard in the Easter, to continue his association with the grey son of Shinko King.
“The horse travelled over very well and he’ll run on Saturday and a fortnight later there’s the Premier’s Cup,” Tiley said.
“We’ll take it a race at a time and if he’s going well and we’re happy then he’ll run in the Brisbane Cup and maybe look at the Caloundra Cup as well.”
Megablast has been accompanied to Brisbane by The Ice Knight, a brother to his Group-winning stablemate Melt.
“He’ll run in the Listed three-year-old race on Saturday and Corey Brown has been booked to ride him,” Tiley said.
“We just have to see how he fits in over here, but a race like the Sunshine Coast Guineas might be ideal.”
The Ice Knight has won twice from nine appearance and last time out he finished a solid sixth in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) after racing three wide. – NZ Racing Desk.