All eyes on outsider Penasquito at Doomben

Two-year-old Penasquito will be closely watched despite being at long odds in betting at Doomben on Saturday.

Penasquito will be first-season sire Spirit Of Boom’s first runner at 1600m in the Functions @ Tattersall’s Handicap.

He is also one of the few remaining chances to give Spirit Of Boom 20 individual winners for the season.

Spirit Of Boom’s 19 individual winners and five stakes winners is already a Queensland record for a first-season sire.

Eureka studmaster Scott McAlpine, who stands Spirit Of Boom, believes the stallion can get winners at 1600m and Penasquito will be the first test of that.

Penasquito was well beaten at Rockhampton at his last start but trainer Chris Anderson said the run could be forgotten.

“The track was bottomless. We went expecting a good four and got a heavy nine,” Anderson said.

“His first run in a race was good as he was caught deep without cover and kept coming.

“Saturday will be the first time he has seen a dry track.”

Meanwhile, trainer Pat Duff has resisted the temptation to claim on topweight Soaring Heart who has 59kg.

“I have stuck with Brad Stewart and why wouldn’t I. He has been in superb form and had ridden six winners from seven rides at one stage this week,” Duff said.

“He has won on Soaring Heart and as I say when he is riding well there is no one better.”