Impressive kennelmates King Taro and Queen Taro both look strong chances to salute at today’s Bathurst meeting.
The Jeanette Foley-trained duo have been in good form leading up to this afternoon’s assignment in which King Taro will jump from box four in the 5th grade Race Sponsors Available Stakes (race three, 307m), while Queen Taro has box six in the day’s feature race, the 4/5th grade ladbrokes.com.au Sprint Series Final (race eight, 520m).
Queen Taro continued her consistent form at NSW country tracks with a smart 30.20 victory from box eight in last week’s heats. She has a good record of five wins and a placing from eight previous starts wearing the green rug and Len Foley, husband of Jeanette, thinks she can score again today.
“Her last start was amazing and we’re expecting her to win again today,” he said.
“She doesn’t ping the lids but within two or three strides she can really get going. This draw really doesn’t hurt her chances. We were always aiming her for the 500 metres but because of a few niggling injuries, it’s just taken a while to get there.
“She’s running superbly (over this distance) now and the aim is to get to the city with her.”
King Taro, meanwhile, has been a similarly impressive performer over the short course for the Foleys.
A winner over the 307m at Bathurst three starts back, he finished second over the 318m at Dubbo last Thursday but is tipped to go one better in this race.
“I think he got bumped at Dubbo which threw him off,” Len Foley said.
“Normally if there’s a slight altercation he comes off better, but he couldn’t quite pick it up. Over the short courses he usually muscles his way through and once he’s in front he’s hard to beat.
“He has a good record from this box and again I think he can win again today.”
In other Bathurst action today, Jock Colley shapes as the best bet of the day in the 5th grade Ray Hadley Appreciation Stakes (race 10, 450m).
The John Jones-trained newcomer has won his last two races – both over the 450m at Bathurst – and has a smart best of 25.83 at the track.
Western Australian stayer and recent Group 3 Sydney Cup finalist Olivia Benson (box one), who has remained in NSW, can take advantage of the rails draw to win the 4/5th grade Paul Murray Appreciation Stakes (race seven, 618m)
For Bathurst Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
