Saturday Australian Debut for Two Illicit

Roger James is excited to be back on Australian soil for the first time in 18 months. The trans-Tasman travel bubble has allowed the Cambridge trainer to travel to Sydney with stable runner Two Illicit, (Jimmy Choux-Gemini, by Tale of the Cat) with the duo soon to be in Queensland for a three-race campaign. According to NZ Racing Desk, it is Two Illicit’s first trip across to Australia and James said the 4YO mare is not the best traveller. “I wouldn’t say she is the most relaxed traveller, she does stress a bit travelling and it is made worse this year because we don’t have a direct flight into Brisbane, so she has a 12 or 13-hour trip on the transporter ahead of her as well,” James told SENTrack. “When she got here, she relaxed well and I think we can present at the Gold Coast without needing that (travel) as an excuse,” said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood. Two Illicit’s first assignment will be the Gr2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday, where she will meet kiwi compatriots Melody Belle (Commands) and Tiptronic (O’Reilly). James said she will appreciate the step-up in distance on Saturday, but will favour even more ground in her subsequent Queensland targets. “I think the three weight-for-age races, the Hollindale, Doomben Cup, and the Q22, look ideal races for her,” he said.