Queensland Guineas Preferred for Holyfield

Meanwhile, scratched from the Gr2 Hawkesbury Guineas on Saturday to head north for the Gr2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm instead, Annabel Neasham-trained Holyfield (I Am Invincible-Hurtle Myrtle, by Dane Shadow) has drawn perfectly in barrier one in an attempt record his first Group 2 victory, with his previous successes including the Baillieu Handicap and Ming Dynasty, both at Gr3 level. An $800,000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase by Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, Holyfield disappointed first up when downfield behind Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) in the Listed South Pacific Classic at Randwick, but with two wins from two runs second up, connections would be hoping for a much improved effort from the colt with local Queensland jockey Stephanie Thornton taking the ride. Race favourite is the Joe Pride-trained Private Eye (Al Maher-Confidential Queen, by Shamardal) who was second in the South Pacific Classic, while super impressive last start Listed Daybreak Lover victor Apache Chase (Better Than Ready-Silken Whisper, by Diesis) for local trainer Desleigh Forster is in fine form and, although he has drawn the outside barrier, his class will carry him a long way.

Holyfield was an in-demand yearling (pic: magicmillions.com.au)