Just Now Quality likely over 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap for O’Shea's mares
A wet weekend in Sydney is set to force John O’Shea and Tom Charlton to divert two of their mares to Brisbane, where the likelihood of a firmer track is significantly higher.
Up to 60 millimetres of rain is forecast, leaving Junqueira and Countyourblessings poorly suited to a Randwick appearance in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m).
Instead, the Listed Just Now Quality (1300m) at Eagle Farm has emerged as the more practical destination.
“Just as a result of the weather, I think they will go to Brisbane,” O’Shea said on Wednesday.
Junqueira has faced a fragmented preparation due to wide gates and misfortune in running, including interference when unplaced on The Hunter undercard.
She draws barrier one at Eagle Farm and O’Shea expects sharp improvement.
“The other day she was about to run well and got galloped on,” he said.
“We were optimistic about her at Newcastle, and it didn’t go our way. She is one that can bounce back and it wouldn’t surprise us.”
Countyourblessings also resumes with a favourable draw and has trialled strongly leading into her return.
“She is in great form. She has trialled up really well,” O’Shea said.
“We’re trying to jag some black type for her ownership group, and we’ll see if we can do it on Saturday.”
The Just Now Quality supports a program highlighted by the $300,000 The Gateway (1400m), which offers its winner a direct path into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
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