by Chris Barsby
There’s been a change in plans for brilliant pacer Bling It On.
And it’s a win for the Queensland winter carnival.
The millionaire pacer will arrive in Brisbane sooner rather later with all of his lead-up racing for the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint on July 8 and the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake the following week taking place at Albion Park.
Originally, connections were planning on starting the American Ideal entire in next week’s Gr.3 $30,000 Golden Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle followed by the Gr.1 $100,000 Len Smith Mile on June 25 before heading north.
But following his trial success on Tuesday afternoon in 1:52.8 at Menangle, the millionaire pacer will arrive this weekend.
Bling It On paced the mile in 28.5, 29, 27.8 and 27.5 seconds beating Salty Robyn and Rockstar Angel in the public trial.
“We’ve looked at the schedule closely in Brisbane and it makes more sense to have him up there and prepping for the bigger races next month at Albion Park, we have a number of attractive options which will suit him better rather starting in the sprint features at home.” Regular driver Luke McCarthy said.
The 2017 Queensland winter carnival officially starts this weekend with the Gr.1 $100,000 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series Final at Redcliffe on Friday night.
Upcoming open class features at Albion Park during the month of June include the Listed $25,000 Lucky Creed on June 17 and the Listed $25,000 Wondais Mate on June 24 while the Listed $25,000 Mr Feelgood takes place on July 1.
The races are staged over 2680m, 1660m and 2138m.
“His trial was very good but he’s still on the big side so we’ll need to keep the work up to him in the coming weeks but I’m more than happy with where he’s at for this part of his campaign.
“I like the look of the Brisbane carnival and he’s going to get the right foundation leading into his main targets, the Sunshine Sprint and the Blacks A Fake are the big ones for him so this should set up nicely.
“His record in Brisbane is well known and he loves racing at Albion Park, we missed the carnival last year so we’re keen to get back with him.”
Bling It On has not raced since finishing 6th in the Miracle Mile behind Lennytheshark in 1:49.2 on February 25 at Menangle.
McCarthy won the 2010 Sunshine Sprint with former North American star Mr Feelgood.
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