Distance mix for Spectroscope

Damian Browne will again be in the royal blue for Godolphin on Spectroscope at the Sunshine Coast.

Tough gelding Spectroscope will drop back in distance in an effort to get him back in winning form at the Sunshine Coast.

Spectroscope hasn’t won since taking the Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill in March last year but has been close up on several occasions in recent races.

He was a handy fourth at his last start behind Sheiswhatsheis in the Members Cup (1600m) on May 12 At Doomben.

Godolphin head trainer James Cummings believes Spectroscope can get back in the winners’ circle in Saturday’s Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1400m).

“We’ve dropped him back in distance to keep mixing it up in an effort to get him back to winning form after being without a win for 12 months,” Cummings said.

“He’s had a solid campaign this time in with a number of handy performances without troubling the scorer.”

“He appears to be very well and should be very fit coming back to the 1400 metres here.”

Cummings says Epidemic, a sister to Group One winning stablemate Impending, has a great chance to pick up black-type for the first time in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1400m).

“This is a wonderful opportunity for her to gain black-type while she’s in such good form,” Cummings said.

“The way she’s been hitting the line this campaign suggests she will be very competitive, even on a rain-affected track.”

“She’s in excellent form coming off two Saturday-class wins in Sydney and she’s drawn well in a big field.”

Damian Browne, who won the Group One Kingsford Smith Cup on Impending for Godolphin last week, will ride Spectroscope while Larry Cassidy has the ride on Epidemic.