Xanthus to be aimed at $500,000 Jewel

Trainer Matt Dunn will run two-year-old Xanthus at one of two upcoming meetings at Doomben.

Improving colt Xanthus will have his final hit-out before next month’s rich Aquis Jewel in the Prelude at Doomben..

Xanthus trialled well before his first run in a race when he finished second to star filly Vincere Volare at Doomben two weeks ago.

Dunn had entered Xanthus for a two-year-old race at Doomben on Wednesday but has decided on the $125,000 Colts Jewel Prelude at Doomben on Saturday.

“They have split the races into colts and fillies and it gives us a real chance to pick up enough money to make the Jewel field,” Dunn said.

“Vincere Volare was a bit slick for him first-up but he will be improved.”

Xanthus is also entered for the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick on April 6.

“The Jewel is restricted to QTIS horses and is a much better race for him at this stage,” Dunn said.

There were eight nominations taken on Monday for the colts and geldings Prelude with The Odyssey the most experienced.

The Kelly Schweida-trained colt has been to the races five times and has two wins including the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes.

The unbeaten Vincere Volare is among 16 entries for the fillies division in which Dunn has nominated debutante Devine Grey.

Trainer Tony Gollan has also entered Vincere Volare for the Group Two Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

The $500,000 Aquis Jewel is run at the Gold Coast on March 16 and timed to coincide with the Magic Millions March Sale.

Last year’s Aquis Jewel was won by Boomsara who has gone on to win the Magic Millions Guineas.

Another promising colt, Alligator Blood, will miss the autumn and probably winter carnival after being scratched from Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Alligator Blood has a hock injury to a hind leg and David Vandyke says he will be spelled.