Trainer Liam Birchley fears a heavy track could blunt Paprika's prospects of making a winning comeback in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm.Paprika, a Glen Colless mount, will return in Saturday's 1000-metre feature for the first time since pulling up distressed with heart "thumps" when she tailed the field of 14 in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in October.Birchley has given Paprika a barrier trial to prepare for her comeback and wasn't concerned when she com
Trainer Liam Birchley fears a heavy track could blunt Paprika's prospects of making a winning comeback in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm.
Paprika, a Glen Colless mount, will return in Saturday's 1000-metre feature for the first time since pulling up distressed with heart "thumps" when she tailed the field of 14 in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in October.
Birchley has given Paprika a barrier trial to prepare for her comeback and wasn't concerned when she compounded after leading to finish second in the 960-metre hitout at Eagle Farm on April 6.
Birchley would prefer a dry track for Paprika who was rated one of the best two-year-olds in Queensland last season after winning her first four races including the Listed Tommy Smith Slipper (1200m) at Doomben in December 2008.
That win earned her favouritism for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast last year when she finished second to fellow Queenslander and subsequent Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready.
Paprika had surgery after the Magic Millions to remove bone chips from both front legs and spent nine months recovering before she was sent to Melbourne for the spring.
She finished a tidy fourth to Lucky Secret at her first Melbourne start in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in October before failing in the Coolmore.
Birchley will start Paprika regardless of the track conditions even though she's officially untried on a heavy track.
"She won her only start on a slow track but it was closer to heavy that day," Birchley said.
"She's definitely better on top of the ground and I'd rather not run her on a heavy track but if I don't she'll be behind schedule for the remainder of the carnival."
Birchley will give Paprika her next start in the Listed Ken Russell Memorial (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 8 before assessing her future for the major winter sprints.
"She's got the ability to run in the Stradbroke and the noms don't close until next Tuesday," he said.
"I'm very happy with her and she was very fat the day she was beaten in the barrier trial."
One trainer not underestimating Paprika's chances is Sydney's David Pfieffer who returns with exciting filly Graceful Anna, a five-time winner from six starts.
Graceful Anna was the star of the summer carnival, winning the Listed Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben and Magic Millions Trophy (1400m) at the Gold Coast.
The daughter of Canny Lad arrived on the Gold Coast on Wednesday and will jump from barrier six while Paprika drew gate nine.
"It's a perfect draw and she's won first-up over 1000 metres before," Pfieffer said.
"Paprika and Phelan Ready are the well-performed runners who look to be our biggest dangers.
"There's no money in barrier trials so I haven't given her one this time but she's been here before and knows what it's all about.
"She's bigger and stronger than when she was last up here for the Magic Millions (Trophy) and if all goes well she'll run in the Gold Coast Guineas next month.
"I'll also nominate her for the Stradbroke but her main mission will be the Winter Stakes in June."