Out of the six runners Kelly Schweida has on the Gold Coast on Saturday, he is most excited about Tyresa's chances in the $250,000 Wave over 1800m.
The three-year-old filly by Written Tycoon out of Stresa finished two lengths behind winner Soothsayer last start in the City To Surf Plate over a mile at Doomben on December 24.
The Brisbane conditioner was content with her effort after registering a sixth and 10th place on the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm on November 26 and December 10, respectively, to start her preparation.
“First run was good. Second run was a bit average. Her run was all right the other day,” Schweida told HorseBetting.com.au about his $9.50 winning chance across betting sites.
Taylor Marshall will be aboard Tyresa – last year's Listed Tattersall's Life Members Stakes winner – from barrier one on Saturday.
And Schweida hopes the inside lane will assist his filly, who has had some recent issues with her starts.
“She's been playing up at the gates this prep – I don't know why,” he said.
“She needs to jump clean and she has a good weight drop.
“She'll be carrying 51kg, and I'm pretty happy with the way she's going.”
Three-year-old gelding Cassimir is a $21 winning chance for the $250,000 Magic Millions Plate over 1200m in race one on the program.
His past four starts have all been runner-up finishes, but a wide lane could pose some issues in a field including Bel Air ($3 for Anthony and Sam Freedman) and Avebury ($4 for John O'Shea).
“All his runs have been good. He drew 15, and you know what that's like,” Schweida said.
“He's going good, but the barrier is a real concern.
“O'Shea's and Freedman's horses (are the ones to beat).”
Cassimir will line up for what will be his fourth and likely last start this preparation.
“He'll probably have a break after Saturday, I would say,” Schweida said.
“This is your A-game – getting your horses up for a Magic Millions race.”
Miss Joelene has $14 winning odds going into the $150,000 Gold Pearl over 1100m, with Excel D'Or the $2.20 favourite for Annabel Neasham.
With the two-year-old filly's only start being a maiden victory over the same distance at Beaudesert on December 24, Saturday offers her a chance to step up in strong company.
“She's only won at Beaudesert, so it's hard to line up with this one,” Schweida said.
“She's a nice filly going forward and she'll be strong late.”
Schweida has high hopes for this two-year-old regardless of the result in the sprint on the Glitter Strip this weekend.
“She's got a nice pedigree out of a mare that I trained (Cellargirl), who ran third in the Flight Stakes (in 2017) and by Russian Revolution,” he said.
“I'm sure she has a bright future.”
Schweida also has Roll Up ($20) in a three-year-old handicap which is No.5 on the program, and Montenegro Man in a Benchmark 85 Handicap – race nine on the card.
Montenegro Man is a $9 winning chance, with star jockey Willie Pike to be aboard the seven-year-old gelding.
“Roll Up was OK the other day (eighth in a BRC Class 3 Plate over 1200m at Doomben on December 24). He's drawn awkward again (11) and I'm disappointed in the gate,” the Eagle Farm-based trainer said.
“Montenegro Man has got a good gate (three), and ‘back Willie Pike in the last' they say.
“I thought his run was OK in a 1min8sec race the other day (12th in the Magic Millions Falvelon over 1200m at Doomben on December 24).
“But I think he'll run OK.”
Four-year-old gelding Lucky Exchange – with Pike aboard – will also start for Schweida with $34 winning odds from barrier 14 in the $250,000 Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO and 4YO Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 4 Plate over 1300m at Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday.
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