Southern sprint star lands major Queensland invite

She’s got history on her side with last year’s inaugural Rising Sun being won by an outstanding four-year-old mare in Amazing Dream, who has since moved to the US where she has created a huge splash with two wins from as many starts.

“Given Amazing Dream’s win last year, RQ and the Albion Park were keen to attract at least one mare to this year’s race and there’s no better credentialed mare in this part of the world than Ladies In Red,” Racing Queensland’s David Brick said.

“It also opens the potential for her to race multiple times over the Constellations (carnival) with other races like the Group 1 Golden Girl and Group 1 Blacks A Fake, which Amazing Dream ran in as well.

“Our attention will now turn to the two three-year-old wildcard invites where those at the top of the list include Leap To Fame, Catch A Wave and Ripp. We will know more after the APG Gold Bullion final at Melton on Saturday night (Catch A Wave is favourite).”

Brick explained the final eight spots in The Rising Sun will be made-up of seven horses selected from the nominations which close on July 4.

“The other is the winner of the new race, the Queensland Sun, which is restricted to Queensland-trained horses only and will be run on July 2,” Brick said.

By Adam Hamilton