LIGHTLY raced five-year-old Quirribilly Lodge looks set to break his maiden status when he takes on a modest field of maiden performers on the seven-race card at Devonport today.
Quirribilly Lodge has only been to the races twice for two minor placings that includes a last-start and third on the Devonport synthetic track behind Purrsnickity and Etown.
The gelded son of Matsqui is prepared at Campania by Chris Crook and Imogen Miller who formed a partnership early this year and together they have enjoyed their share of success.
“I have always liked this horse and because he is so well related we have expected him to do well from the very beginning,” Crook said.
“His brother North Lodge won races in Melbourne and at distances up to 3200m and his year younger brother Tshahitsi also has shown great potential.”
“This looks an ideal race for Quirribilly Lodge but my only concern is his barrier.”
“He has drawn gate four and because he is a slow beginner he will get back in the race and my only fear is that he won’t respond kindly to the kickback we have been getting on the synthetic track of late,” she said.
Quirribilly Lodge will be ridden by Brendon McCoull who has partnered the gelding at his two previous outings in which he got back early but rattled home at the business end of proceedings.