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It's been nearly 20 years since Sue Walsh campaigned a horse in Australia, but she's hoping Exquisite Jewel's trip to the Brisbane winter carnival can be just as fruitful.
Walsh produced subsequent Gr.2 Taranaki Stakes winner Chatham to win the Listed Eagle Farm Stakes during the 1998 winter carnival, the Noel Harris-ridden grey heading a Kiwi-trifecta with Cronus and Silky Oak filling the minors.
While Walsh lived for three years on the Sunshine Coast, she wasn't training over that period and she was looking forward to again saddling a runner on Australian turf."It's been a while, probably since Chatham won at Eagle Farm, but nothing changes. We're here to do our best," the Foxton trainer said.
Exquisite Jewel takes strong New Zealand three-year-old form into Saturday's Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben, having raced in Group company for her last six starts for a Gr.3 Manawatu Classic win (2000m) over Werther at Awapuni, a second to that subsequent Gr.1 South Australian Derby runner-up in the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie, a third placing in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and a fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at the same venue."Her last two starts she's run the quinella with Werther, us beating him at Awapuni and then him turning the tables at Ellerslie. Werther's form has been strong in Australia so that's encouraging," Walsh said.
"It's hard to gauge our form against the Aussies because you just don't know till you race. She's got good form around [fellow Roses and Queensland Oaks hopeful] Platinum Witness as well and we think we'll both be right up there with them."Walsh won't fast-work Exquisite Jewel in Brisbane before Saturday's race, having done all she needed with the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan-bred Lucky Unicorn filly before she travelled to Brisbane on Sunday.
"She was ready when she left," Walsh said."She travelled well and she's settled in as good as gold. This race will give her a look around Doomben before the Oaks. She's done really well since her last run, but it will be five weeks between races so whatever she does on Saturday she'll improve on for the Oaks."
The Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be run at Doomben on May 30, seven days after The Roses.Experienced Queensland rider Jim Byrne takes the ride on Exquisite Jewel on Saturday from barrier four.