Cylinder Beach expected to skip Villiers

Promising Cylinder Beach is set to miss the Group Two Villiers at Randwick on Saturday to race in Brisbane.

Cylinder Beach has been entered for the Villiers and the Listed Brisbane Handicap at Doomben with both races over 1600m.

The gelding was a brilliant first-up winner at Eagle Farm two weeks ago taking the Recognition Stakes (1400m) at his first run in five months.

Trainer Desleigh Forster said she had always planned to give Cylinder Beach a light summer with the Bernborough Hcp (1600m) on New Year’s Eve as his main mission.

“I am 90 per cent certain at this stage Cylinder Beach will be staying for the Brisbane Handicap as his final lead-up to the Bernborough and will miss the Villiers,” Forster said.

“Two of our best milers in Hopfgarten and Rudy are heading to the Villiers so the Brisbane Handicap won’t be strong.

“I wouldn’t imagine too many southern horses will come for the Brisbane Handicap.

“There is only $50,000 difference in prize money but I suppose there is a $100,000 bonus for winning the Villiers and Bernborough.”

Forster said she was in no hurry with Cylinder Beach who would go for a break after the Bernborough.

“He really has come up well after the Recognition Stakes. He should get about 56 kilos in the Brisbane Handicap which will mean Brad Pengelly, who has been riding him work, can reclaim the ride,” she said.

Forster’s other recent stakes winner Too Good to Refuse will tackle the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.

Too Good To Refuse was a strong winner of the Keith Noud Quality two runs back before finishing an unlucky fifth in the George Moore Stakes last week.

“He has come up well after the run and will back up in the Lough Neagh. Jim Byrne is sticking with him and I think the 1350m will suit him better,” Forster said.

Stablemate, dual Group One placegetter I’m Belucci, is back in work for a light preparation.