Gold Coast trainer Kelly Doughty has a double-barrelled attack to help fulfil one of her dreams in the $100,000 Listed Goldmarket Quality.
The Goldmarket celebrates its 51st running on Saturday and as the Gold Coast’s longest-running feature race, it is the one all local trainers want to win.
Doughty’s husband Gary won the race as a jockey with Atlantic Crossing in 1995 but the Goldmarket has eluded her as a trainer.
She has established herself among the best trainers in the state thanks to consistent gallopers such as Morning Captain who will contest the Goldmarket.
Morning Captain ran an outstanding fifth in the Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at his last start.
“He missed the start for the first time in his career,” Doughty said. “He was ridden along from there because they really flew.
“The winner Love Rocks ended up running 1.17.4 and we finished about three lengths back. They don’t usually run anything like that at Doomben and Morning Captain really put in.”
Doughty was delighted that Morning Captain has finally drawn a good barrier for Saturday’s race.
“Barrier one – gee, it really must be Christmas,” she said, in reference to Morning Captain usually drawing in the second half of the barriers.
In-form Jim Byrne retains the ride on Morning Captain.
Doughty also has improving mare Little Brown Horse in the Goldmarket and she rates her a chance.
“I know it is a big step up in class but she is an honest horse and she deserves her chance,” Doughty said.
“Even if she runs a place it will get her some black type beside her name.”
Morning Captain heads first Goldmarket betting charts at $3.50 from Sydneysider King Cobia ($4).
Little Brown Horse has been rated a $13 chance.