Racing: Spot on Target given edge for Guineas

Stathi Katsidis. Photo / Dean Purcell

BRISBANE: Gold Coast trainer Howard Wilson believes there's little between his two chances Spot On Target and Fifteen Carat in today's Group Three Gold Coast Guineas.

Wilson, who has trained on the Coast for the past 25 years, gives Spot On Target a slight edge over Fifteen Carat, who could be Queensland Derby-bound with a good showing in the 1200m feature.

"I've always thought Spot On Target was the better of the two but Fifteen Carat has improved out of sight," Wilson said.

"I don't think there's much between them [today] but I'll give Spot On Target a slight edge because I know he can handle a wet track.

"They are both headed to the Queensland Guineas but if I think Fifteen Carat can stay I might run him in the Queensland Derby instead."

The Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 12, the same day as the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m).

Wilson was disappointed with the barrier draw for Fifteen Carat in the Gold Coast Guineas.

"One [Spot On Target] drew good with barrier six and the other drew badly with barrier 15," he said.

However, a heavy track should counter any barrier concerns as most runners are expected to skirt wide on the tricky Gold Coast course.

Stathi Katsidis was offered the ride on Fifteen Carat and Wilson was surprised when he turned it down to partner last year's Golden Slipper and Magic Millions winner Phelan Ready.

"Stathi's girlfriend [Melissa Jackson] has a share in Fifteen Carat so I was quite surprised when he knocked back the ride to be on Phelan Ready," Wilson said.

Brad Pengelly gladly accepted the ride while Chris Munce has retained the mount on Spot On Target, who fought on strongly on a heavy track last start to finish fourth to country champ Border Rebel in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 24.

Fifteen Carat has raced only once on a rain-affected track in his nine starts, finishing sixth to Graceful Anna in the Listed Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on Boxing Day.

However, Wilson was delighted with the son of Show A Heart's eye-catching comeback last start when he stormed home for third to Frozone in a 1200m class six at Doomben on April 17. "Fifteen Carat's last run was phenomenal and if he can handle the wet he'll be hard to beat along with Spot On Target," he said.

Wilson believes Spot On Target was unlucky not to win the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June last year. "He led in the TJ and stumbled about 50 metres out and lost his momentum," he said. "He ended up running second but it probably cost him the race."

- AAP