Provincial champion takes on city slickers

Canberra trainer Philip Courtney is seeking a black-type breakthrough for Maryore at Doomben.

Maryore was a support act at Randwick the day Winx stole the show in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and now Canberra trainer Philip Courtney is taking the star of his stable on the road again.

The Provincial Championships final winner on April 8, Maryore makes her Queensland debut on Saturday at Doomben where she makes the step up to Listed company in the $100,000 Tails Stakes (1600m).

She is also the first Queensland runner for Courtney, a former jockey who trained as a hobby until a year ago.

“We’ll attempt some black type with her. We’re keen to test her a little bit more and the best place to do that is the next level up,” Courtney said.

It will be Maryore’s fourth race of a preparation highlighted by a three-length win in the $400,000 Provincial Championship.

“If she didn’t do well I wouldn’t have put her on the float. She pulled up exceptionally well,” Courtney said.

“If we can get some black type on her page it will make her a valuable broodmare.”

Courtney has 10 horses in work and hopes Maryore’s success will build his stable.

“I’d like to get more. That’s everyone’s goal isn’t it?” he said.

Closer to home Courtney has five-year-old gelding Dyfield lining up in the TAB Highway Handicap (1400m) on a Randwick card dominated by the re-run of the Group One Sydney Cup.

“I think he’ll acquit himself well. It’s a drop back in class for him. There’s a drop in weight for him as well (61kg to 54kg).

“He should be fit now, third-up. I expect him to run a good race.”