Racing: Melody Belle on song for Brisbane

Shocking Luck will keep the blinkers on in the Queensland Derby tomorrow. Photo / File

Stephen Autridge was in London when we called him yesterday about Te Akau's runners in Brisbane tomorrow, so we talked about the bombings instead.

The astute Matamata horseman was not quite up to play with the health of the team runners at Doomben, but he described London's punters - for want of a better word - as "devastated".

Autridge is hoping rather than confident the talented Queensland team will perform because he hasn't seen them lately, so we needed to talk to co-trainer Jamie Richards. He is confident classy filly Melody Belle will not be affected by getting back to a firmish track in tomorrow's A$650,000 JJ Atkins Stakes.

"She won the Karaka Million on a firm track so I don't see an issue coming back from the wet conditions when she won at Eagle Farm last start."

Melody Belle looked in grand condition the day she won at Eagle Farm and Richards said she has not gone backwards, but racegoers might think she looks slightly different.

"We clipped her out before we left home, so that was six weeks ago.

It's starting to get a little cool here at nights and she is just starting to get a fraction of wool coming through, but she's healthy and well.

"She is a very good filly who simply handles all conditions that are thrown at her. She will be fine in the big race." The other New Zealand runner Qiji Phoenix has once again come up with an impossible barrier draw - the outside of the 13 runners. He was posted three and four wide from the outside barrier in his Australian debut, but also his condition gave out late. He will be a lot fitter this time, but it's difficult to see how he could get sufficient luck in running.

Jamie Richards does not see a problem with the Queensland Derby dropping back to 2200m from the original 2400m with Shocking Luck. The switch is because of moving the race to Doomben from Eagle Farm.

"Had it been 2400m we would have removed the blinkers, but Opie [Bosson] rode him in work on Tuesday and did not want any changes made, so with the 2200m we will leave them on.

"Don't take too much notice of his beaten run last start, he was hopeless in that really heavy track. He will be better this time." Richards has a level of confidence around Shocking Luck, but says Volatile Mix will be no pushover.

Brisbane Cup runner Zambezi Warrior would have preferred the wetter Eagle Farm footing, but the stable is staying hopeful after the stayer's huge second last start.

"He's had those two very good runs on slow surfaces, so we may well get away with one run on top of the ground with him.

"He worked well on the course proper here under Jeff Lloyd on Tuesday morning and things are looking reasonably good."

Weekend pointers

• Forget last time: Shocking Luck, R7, Doomben. Like most that raced that day, did not handle the very wet Eagle Farm. Classy stayer who can win his first Derby.

• Due a win: Leica Lady, R1, Te Rapa. Has run some classy races in a short career so far.

• Watch this preparation: Blackmagicwoman, R3, Te Rapa. Being by Shocking from a Zabeel mare was always going to get better with age.