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By Mark Brassel

Goulburn trainer Tash Burleigh is hoping to squeeze her unbeaten galloper Bocelli into next Saturday’s $150,000 Country Championships Qualifier field run on home soil.

Bocelli (Blake Spriggs) wins impressively on debut at Canberra. Image by Bradley Photographers

Burleigh has an able back-up in Territorial should Bocelli miss a start in the ‘must run one-two’ qualifier for horses prepared in the South-East Racing Association. Only first and second proceed to the $500,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) run at Royal Randwick on April 7.

“Having only had the one start may make it hard for him to get into the race as no doubt there’ll be many good horses vying for spots,” Burleigh admitted.

Bocelli trialled twice at Nowra and Canberra in preparation for his debut at Canberra (1000m) and worked strongly to the line on both occasions.

The four-year-old then defied a staggering betting drift ($9.50 to $31) to be in fifth spot on the home turn and then finish fast under Blake Spriggs to score.

“Had he not drawn the inside gate he possibly might not have won – absolutely everything fell into place for him and he was able to save ground, peel around the leader and win.

"He came to me from a city trainer for a change in scenery after suffering an injury or two. He’s still a work in progress but is going really well and Goulburn life agrees with him.”

Burleigh has entered Bocelli for another couple of races on the day as a back-up in case he doesn’t get a start in the Qualifier.

Tash Burleigh with Bocelli after the horse's Canberra victory. Image by Bradley Photographers

The fledgling trainer believes Territorial should gain a berth but thinks the race “maybe a little too soon for him”. “He’s only a three-year-old and is still a bit immature but has plenty of ability and is honest,” Burleigh said.

“He ran really well in a couple of Highway races in the city and both were over 1100m where they went like cut cats, so it was hard for him to make up the necessary ground.”

Last start Territorial ran a sound fourth at Sapphire Coast: “The trip down there didn’t go to plan but he still ran very well in a race that should really stack up form wise.

“The winner (He Ekscels) scored at Caulfield two starts beforehand and the runner-up (Athonis) ran second at Rosehill in November so it was a very strong race. He’s probably looking for a bit of a freshen up but we will see how he goes if he makes the Qualifier field.”

Territorial will have a ‘home ground advantage’ having won three races from 12 starts – all at Goulburn.

Another local trainer Danny Williams is certain to have the bulk of the starters in the race with the likes of Acquittal, Chewbacca, Kopi Luwak, Pumpkin Pie, El Mo nominated, and possibly Don’t Give a Damn, although Williams is also looking at the $3m The Star Doncaster Mile with that performer.

View the race program for Goulburn's Country Showcase meeting here