Bart Sinclair's Preview - Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Raceday

 
Only rarely is it a good punting strategy to put potential over performance.

By any form analysis Toowoomba-trained Festival Prince faces a big class jump in the TAB Class 6 Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Firstly he is not well weighted even with just 54kg. Racing Queensland handicapping panel issued his “true” weight would be 51kg given his form to date.

Before a summer spell Festival Prince’s best win was in a Benchmark 65 sprint over 1100 metres at Toowoomba on November 6.

Festival Prince resumed with a game fourth at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago in a Benchmark 72 over 1200 metres. He was beaten 1.4 lengths but it’s fair to say he had an extremely tough run four wide midfield without cover and was much wider on the home turn.

Breeder-owner Michael Kelly is surprised Festival Prince has been marked the favorite in early TAB markets.

“This is a huge jump in class,’’ he observed. “I think he has the makings of a good horse but he’s still learning and is probably a year away from his best.’’

Kelly already has fielded some overseas interest in buying Festival Prince but it would take a massive offer to get a deal done.

For the gelding’s first Eagle Farm appearance trainer Matt Kropp has switched from claiming apprentice Alex Patis to the experienced Robbie Fradd on Festival Prince.

Gun apprentice Jaden Lloyd returns from suspension at Eagle Farm and will resume his intense battle with another rising star Kyle Wilson-Taylor for the season 2020-21 apprentice title.

Currently Lloyd (39 wins) holds a slim half win lead over Wilson-Taylor.

Both have good chances but Lloyd looks to have one victory parcelled up with the emerging youngster Hang Five in the Moore Australia Handicap over 1400 metres.

Hang Five was very strong late when an easy winner over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm ten days ago and an extra 200 metres should not pose any problem.