Racing: Gee I Jane recovers for group two start

SYDNEY - Waikato trainer Neville Couchman has had a change of mind about Gee I Jane and will line her up in the group two Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 24.

Gee I Jane was a desperately unlucky second to La Montagna in her main Brisbane winter target, the Stradbroke Handicap, last Saturday and Couchman had intended to spell her after that.

But this week he decided Gee I Jane had done so well after the race that the Winter Stakes was a realistic target.

"She's really thriving," Couchman said.

"Track rider Alan Russell said to me that she is probably better than she was in the lead-up to the Stradbroke."

The Winter Stakes is for fillies and mares, carries a purse of A$400,000 ($480,000) and is run over 1500m.

The race will have a strong New Zealand presence, with connections of last year's winner Miss Potential and La Sizeranne confirming they will also line up.

Couchman had his second win in Queensland with Gee I Jane's travelling companion, The Silence Sir, at Doomben in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Couchman said the youngster had come through the ranks well and should perform well on good tracks in the summer.

The Queensland winter carnival shifts to Ipswich today, with the promising New Zealander Sphenophyta a solid chance in the A$200,000 Ipswich Cup.

Waikato trainer Richard Otto has a high opinion of Sphenophyta, who impressed with a late run for fifth at his first Australian run, in the Sir Edward Williams Handicap at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.

"He probably got too far out of his ground and but for that he would have been a good chance of running in the money," Otto said.

Today he steps up in distance to 2150m on a tight track that won't suit his style of racing. He also has drawn the outside barrier in the 13-horse field.

Otto has engaged experienced jockey Jim Byrne, who he hopes will overcome some of the disadvantages.

"I think he will be a good chance of running in the money," Otto said.

Sphenophyta's main target is the Caloundra Cup on July 1 and Otto is hoping the horse can run a placing at least today to help get his horse off the minimum weight at Caloundra to ensure he gets a start.

New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler has Argyle Lass in the Ipswich Cup and she should relish the step-up in distance. She has barrier four with talented apprentice Ric McMahon aboard.

Waikato trainer Roger James lines up his big mare Hasta La Ciao Ciao in the Gai Waterhouse Classic, while Wheeler has Darkside Lass pitted against Thee Auld Hussie from Stephen Marsh's stable in race one on the Ipswich card.

- NZPA