Unsuitable schedule forces Shweida's hand

Friday 19 February 2016, 12:19pm

A lack of 1200m races for Brisbane two-year-olds has prompted trainer Kelly Schweida to test Itz Alrite twice in a week at Doomben.

Itz Alrite has been unlucky at both his starts this campaign, finishing second and then fifth last Saturday in juvenile races over 1050m.

Schweida had been hoping to give Itz Alrite his next start over 1200m but there are none in the next month.

Itz Alrite would have had 10 days in the spelling paddock had he won either of his recent starts but instead he will run in Saturday's Support Women's Cancer Foundation Handicap (1350m).

Schweida said Itz Alrite needed to build up prize money to get into the better races during the winter carnival.

"I think he will be at his best around 1400 to 1600 metres," Schweida said.

"But I wanted to give him his chance at 1200 on the way up in distance but there are no races for him.

"I can't remember anything like it. The two-year-old races for which Itz Alrite is eligible are either 1050 or 1350 metres.

"There is a 1200 at the Gold Coast on March 12 but that is for QTIS horses only and he isn't eligible."

He said Itz Alrite had shown no ill-effects after casting a shoe when he struck interference last start.

Schweida will also probably start former West Australian galloper Ruling Force, who has drawn the outside barrier, in the GPK - Your Technology Partner Handicap (1350m).

Ruling Force won his only start for Schweida two weeks ago.

"He caught us by surprise a bit because we didn't know if he would handle the wet track that day," Schweida said.

"There really isn't much around for him. He either runs in open company or a high benchmark race and there are none of those about for him."

Meanwhile, Mudgee trainer Mack Griffith has elected to run handy NSW country galloper Binalong Road against non-metropolitan winners instead of an open handicap.

– AAP

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