Racing: Taranaki mare deserves Queensland joy

BRISBANE - Taranaki trainer Bryce Revell has two shots left to fire during the Queensland winter carnival and is hopeful of hitting the mark in the group three Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm tomorrow with Ekstreme.

The mare has had three starts in Brisbane this winter with her best performance coming at her last appearance when third to Crossthestart in the Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12.

Ekstreme will be dropping back marginally in distance for tomorrow's 2200m feature but the shorter trip doesn't faze Revell, who was delighted with her Brisbane Cup effort.

"I'm going to back up Ekstreme in the Caloundra Cup next week so I've got two shots left at trying to win a race over here this year," Revell said on Wednesday.

"Her Brisbane Cup run was very good. She didn't leave the fence but she got held up slightly in the run and should probably have run second.

"Otherwise, she had every chance as she never used up too much energy."

Revell is a former jumps rider who won the 1993 Great Eastern Steeple at Oakbank on Touch Judge. He is on his second trip to Queensland with Ekstreme, who finished sixth to the Peter Snowden-trained Purple in last year's Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm.

Revell has his fingers crossed for rain to boost the hopes of the mare.

"It rained here yesterday and I was very happy but it looks to have cleared today. She's got form on wet tracks and I'd love to see some more rain."

Ekstreme earned her second trip to Queensland after winning the Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on May 1.

"She ran a good race to finish sixth in her first race here this year in the Doomben Cup," Revell said.

"She's a good doer in the stable and she's pulled up well since the Brisbane Cup. I worked her at Doomben on Tuesday and took her to Eagle Farm today where she worked on the dirt.

"I think she's improved further since her Brisbane Cup run and the races seem to be getting easier the longer the carnival goes on."

Damian Browne has ridden Ekstreme at her past two Brisbane appearances and will be back on board in the Tatt's Cup.

- AAP