Orchestrate Sizes Up Queensland Sprint Series

STATE Of Origin winner Orchestrate returns to Albion Park on Thursday night for the heats of the Queensland series of the National Sprint sharpened by two fast 431m victories at Ipswich.

The Rockhampton Cup winning son of Barcia Bale and Speculate has drawn well in the seven in one of the two state heats.

Orchestrate was “knocked rotten” in a 431m Best 8 on Saturday night at Ipswich and gave track and distance champ Spring Rock a big start and a beating.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY

“Spring Rock is a specialist there having won 10 races over 431m when boxed in the rails,” said Orchestrate's breeder-owner Tom Kinnear.

“For our bloke to cop trouble and still run him down was special. And, he had won there in 24.97 before that.

“His will to win is amazing especially considering the start he gave a very good sprinter like Spring Rock.”

Kinnear said Orchestrate hurt a wrist when unplaced in a heat of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup on July 1 and trainer Tony Brett had decided to give the dog a short rest.

“Tony wanted to be cautious with the injury,” Tom said. “He gave him a break and the two wins over 431 metres have been great.

“I like him from a wide draw and especially the fact there is only two heats of the state series. He will need the 520 metre run and should be improved greatly for the state final next week.”

Brett has just taken over the training of Orchestrate's litter brother Interrogate, the winner of 12 races for Jason Thompson in Victoria.

“He arrived on Saturday and had a box-to-box trial at Albion Park on Tuesday,” Tom said.

“We have always had problems with his box manners but he is a special dog as well if he comes out.”

Speculate's second litter, by leading stud dog Aston Dee Bee, are 18 months old and Brett and Thompson both have dogs from the litter showing great potential.

“Jason could give his dog a start within the next few weeks,” Tom added. “He is very happy with him.”