Belated return for The Odyssey

Trainer Kelly Schweida has no regrets about The Odyssey missing the Champagne Classic at Doomben.

Trainer Kelly Schweida says he has no regrets about scratching two-year-old The Odyssey from the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben.

The Odyssey has strong claims to being Queensland’s best juvenile having won four races and $557,550 prize money.

At his last start he won the $500,000 Aquis Jewel at the Gold Coast on a heavy track in March.

Schweida thought the Champagne Classic was an ideal race to begin The Odyssey’s winter carnival but baulked when the colt drew barrier 14.

“I had no regrets about scratching him. He hadn’t run for eight weeks and it would have been a too big a task. It was a Group Two race and you need every bit of luck you can get,” Schweida said.

“But some of the Group races get longer now and I don’t think they would suit him.”

Schweida is now looking at the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on June 1 as The Odyssey’s comeback run.

“There is also a big prize money QTIS race for him at Ipswich two weeks later,” he said.

“The money is great in those races and the winner takes home $67,000 so it isn’t to be sneezed at.”

Schweida is looking north with veteran gelding Stella Ombra who ran second to stablemate Darktown Strutter at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night.

“He had a ten-day break between runs and I am now heading to Rockhampton for the Newmarket next month,” he said.