With all eyes on the Racing Queensland summer carnival currently, two of the state’s best pacers are on differing paths.
Recently crowned Queensland Horse of the Year Leos Best has been benched while Mattgregor returns to work following a setback suffered in Sydney last month.
Leos Best, prepared by Grant Dixon, scored a decisive first-up victory at Albion Park on November 11 before missing the place a fortnight later.
That unplaced effort left Dixon perplexed.
Most were expecting to see Leos Best starting in the open class features and playing a major role but instead, the Cammibest gelding will spend the next two weeks in the paddock.
“I’ve decided to give him a freshen-up and then start again, I couldn’t put my finger on what when wrong last start although I’ve got my ideas,” Dixon said.
“He’ll have two weeks off now and then hopefully he’ll come back better than ever, that’s the plan anyway.” He added.
With Leos Best in the paddock, his sparring partner Mattgregor has returned to work today (Monday).
The Chantal Turpin trained pacer was forced to bypass the recent Gr.2 $75,000 4 & 5yo Championship at TABCORP Park, Melton owing to a virus.
Mattgregor was halfway to Melbourne when successful at Menangle on November 4; it was a dominant victory over 2300m in 1:55.1.
Connections were forced to head home and the five-year-old was given a couple of easy weeks to recover.
“He’s much better now and he’s back in work and performing light duties, it’s a shame he missed the Melbourne race but he always comes first and we were never going to risk him,” Turpin said.
“There’s no plans at this stage, we’ll just work him up and then look at our options when he’s ready. Obviously, the Brisbane winter carnival is a long range target for him.” She added.
Leos Best and Mattgregor have clashed on five occasions and both have a victory over each other.
