Villante On Track For Ipswich Gold Cup Test

CHRIS Brydon, still on a high after the buzz of being at Million Dollar Chase night, heads to Albion Park on Thursday night with MDC Consolation finalist Villante for 520m 3rd-4th Grade.

Villante (Pindari Express-Polly's Maid) went better than Chris expected right throughout the MDC series but had no luck when  sixth in the Consolation behind Idolize.

He was third in the Grafton regional final, beating home eventual MDC winner Jay Is Jay, then was second to him in the semi-finals chasing him throughout in a flying 29.45, running 29.80 himself.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY

“He really overachieved in Sydney,” said Chris.

“I sent him to Jason Magri for a couple of weeks and he got a trial on the track before the semis.

“The dog has been really good to us.”

Villante has started 57 times for 12 wins and 21 placings and earned $61,000.

“I went down to Sydney to handle him in the Consolation and the buzz on the night was amazing,” said Chris.

“I was talking to Mick (Zammit) before the final and loved that he was wearing a Capalaba shirt.

“I even took a picture of him and sent it off to Erin (Cameron, secretary of Capalaba Club).”

Villante will head towards next week's Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup series.

“He goes really good at Ipswich so we have to target a race like that,” said Chris.

He has 15 dogs in his Churchable kennel but 10 of those are pups just back from education.

Of Villante's chances on Thursday night, Chris says the wide draw is against him, and the early pace possessed by Special Cyndie, drawn the rails, will be a test.