Racing: Price hopes Queen will rule at Doomben

Trainer Mick Price is hoping his search for his first Queensland winner will end with Brisbane Cup-bound Queen of Queens in the group three Chairman's Handicap at Doomben tomorrow.

Price rarely ventures to Brisbane and has had limited opportunities from a handful of runners in recent times but is confident Queen Of Queens can turn his fortunes around this winter.

The Caulfield trainer thought he had broken his Queensland drought when Rightfully Yours was first past the post in the Listed Prime Minister's Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast last week.

However, the stable lost the race in the stewards' room when local sprinter Mr Hornblower was awarded it on protest.

"I think 2000m to 2400m is Queen Of Queens' best trip and you probably won't see the best of her until the Brisbane Cup," Price said.

"She's got an awkward barrier [11] in the Chairman's and it's a tricky alley around Doomben, but she's an each-way chance and will be finishing off strongly."

Price, who is having his best season with six group one wins, said Queen Of Queens was an ideal type for the group two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.

"I don't normally go to Brisbane and my record up there is nought from a few runners," he said.

"I sent Miss Maren up there for the Queensland Oaks last year and Chattanooga went up one year for the Doomben 10,000.

"He was a super wet tracker but the track was like concrete in the 10,000 that day.

"Miss Maren ran third in the Doomben Roses last year but we didn't have any luck with her in the Oaks."

Queen of Queens' last win was in the group three South Australian Oaks (2500m) at Morphettville in April last year.

Later that month, she headed to Sydney to finish fourth to Heavenly Glow in the group one AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Price has called up Larry Cassidy to ride Queen Of Queens in her first weight-for-age test.

Cassidy hasn't ridden for Price since Slavonic finished fourth to Laurie's Lottery in the Inglis Classic (1200m) at Randwick in 1998.

Price's usual jockey Craig Newitt was originally booked to partner Queen Of Queens in the Chairman's Handicap, but the Melbourne jockey was suspended after his ride on Rightfully Yours in the Prime Minister's Cup.

He appealed but decided not to seek a stay of proceedings in the hope his sentence will be reduced at a hearing next Tuesday to enable him to ride Pompeii Ruler in the Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) at Kranji on May 17.

- AAP