Racing: Rain ideal for Kiwi stayer Megablast on Sunshine Coast

Rain-affected going will favour Megablast at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. Photo / Trish Dunell

Nigel Tiley is hoping the Sunshine Coast doesn't live up to its name this weekend.

The Pukekohe Park trainer will produce Megablast there for the second appearance of his Queensland campaign on Saturday when he fronts up in the group two P. J. O'Shea Stakes (2200m).

"He probably needs give in the ground from where he has got to in the handicap," Tiley said.

"There's been a fair bit of rain here so if we get a wet track on Saturday that will suit him."

Megablast sealed his trip with a first-up victory in the Easter Handicap (1600m) and then finished sixth in the Chairman's Handicap (2000m) at Doomben, a race won by the longshot Anton En Avant.

Third was the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained New Zealand-bred stayer Rising Red, who won the group two Premier's Cup (2200m) last Saturday.

Megablast has come through his last race in tip-top order and he will be ridden by Damian Browne.

"It's definitely a step up in grade, but it's our best shot and the horse looks great," Tiley said. "He's right where I want him."

Meanwhile, stablemate The Ice Knight finished runner-up over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday. "I'll probably look at a 1400m three-year-old race for him on the Gold Coast on June 9," Tiley said.

"If he is competitive I'll set him for the Sunshine Coast Guineas — the Queensland Guineas is probably going to be a bit too rich for him."

The Ice Knight has won twice from 11 appearances and went to Australia off the back of creditable run for sixth in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (1200m).

- NZ Racing Desk