Tempo a serious concern for Qfighter: Dunn

Friday 27 September 2013, 3:12pm

Trainer Matthew Dunn fears a lack of speed more than a wide barrier for Qfighter at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Qfighter has drawn the outside alley in the Channel Seven Handicap (1200m) but Dunn is more concerned by an apparent lack of pace in the race.

"On paper there doesn't look a lot of speed in the race apart from The Storeman and I'd be concerned if it turns into a sprint home from the top of the straight," he said.

"We'll have to go all the way back from the wide barrier but I think it'll be okay because he likes to drop out early and find his feet anyway."

Qfighter scored his first win since October last year when he stormed to victory over the same course and distance as Saturday's assignment on September 7.

"It was a real confidence booster for him last start and probably what he needed to get him back on track," Dunn said.

"The other pleasing aspect was the way he didn't hesitate or lose momentum when he was going between other horses to make his run in the straight."

Dunn believes the three weeks break between runs is ideal for Qfighter.

"I like to space his runs wherever I can but, in saying that, when he won the other day he was backing up from the previous Saturday," he said.

The four-year-old shares the second line of betting at $3.90 with Bribie behind The Storeman ($3.50) in a race where grey horses are the only runners quoted at single figure odds.

Qfighter will be ridden by in-form apprentice Tegan Harrison who will also ride consistent gelding Epic Terra for Dunn in the Goulburn Valley Handicap (1600m).

Harrison rode Epic Terra when they combined to win at Doomben on September 14 by 3-3/4 lengths from Youthful Jack, a rival on Saturday.

Dunn's stable has been in sparkling form this season.

From his past 50 starters Dunn has won 16 races, including eight winners on city tracks.

– AAP

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