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By Greg Prichard

Gosford trainer Angela Davies says that after experiencing bad luck last time out Karedada is ready to take a full swing at qualification for the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final when he races at Wyong on Saturday.

Davies based her opinion on Karedada being better off physically after what was his first-up run this campaign, a much better barrier draw and the extra 150 metres in distance.

Trainer Angela Davies (Pic: Bradley)

Bookmakers agree they shouldn’t take chances with Karedada, which is being kept safe as a $7 chance with TAB Fixed Odds in the $150,000 Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (Prov only) over 1350 metres.

It is a full field of 16 where the first two in the betting - Strait Acer ($4.20) and Ausbred Flirt ($4.80) have each finished in the placings at Group level.

Karedada, a lightly-raced four-year-old gelding with four wins from seven starts, resumed from a spell in a Provincial-Midway Qualifier over 1200 metres at Gosford on March 16 and it was a run best forgotten.

Jockey Andrew Gibbons did well to get him across from barrier 11 to race one off the fence in midfield, but he was never able to get properly clear from there.

The race replay shows Gibbons desperately looking for a run going around the home turn on the tight track.

First he starts heading for the outside, only for a horse in front to veer out and force him back inside. Then another runner bumps a horse into him inside the final 100 metres.

Karedada wouldn’t have won but he certainly would’ve finished closer than eighth, beaten four lengths, had he not had a chequered run.

“He never got much of a go,” Davies said.

“He took something out of the race physically though. I thought he was still a little bit chubby going into that race and he’s improved a lot in condition.

“He probably could’ve done with a run going into that qualifier, but he’s had that run now and drawing barrier three is certainly going to be a big help.

“He generally jumps well and he should be running third or fourth, one off the fence, and not get cluttered up anywhere. I don’t say he’ll lead, he’ll need a bum to follow, and the pace over 1350 will be a bit steadier as well, which will be good for him.

“Small tracks, you get caught up behind them and you can’t get through them and that’s what happened to him at Gosford. That shouldn’t happen from where he’s drawn this time.”

Karedada’s four wins have been over 1200 metres (three times) and 1250 and he has never raced beyond the 1250, but Davies is adamant the step up in distance won’t be an issue.

“I don’t think the distance is a concern, he just hasn’t gone over it yet,” she said.

“He’s only had seven starts and getting up to 1350 is just a natural progression for him. I’ve got no reason to think he won’t handle it, or the 1400 metres of the final if he makes it.”

The $1 million Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final will be run at Randwick on April 13, the second day of The Star Championships, and Karedada needs to finish in the first two at Wyong to qualify.

“My opinion of the horse hasn’t changed at all and I think it’ll be a real shame if he doesn’t qualify,” Davies said.

“I just sort of kick myself we didn’t have an extra run before he went to that previous qualifier but that’s life, that’s racing.

“He’s ready to do his best on Saturday, for sure, and definitely from the soft draw.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Wyong meeting