Tunahog to return at Eagle Farm

Lawrie Mayfield-Smith says he will have a better idea where he is heading with the talented Tunahog after the gelding resumes at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.Tunahog, the winner of three of his five career starts, hasn't raced since the end of November when he finished down the track to Mumslad on the Kensington track at Randwick over 1000m.Mayfield-Smith said Tunahog found the surface too firm for him that day and the trainer has battled feet issues with the four-year-old since.He believes he has th

Lawrie Mayfield-Smith says he will have a better idea where he is heading with the talented Tunahog after the gelding resumes at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Tunahog, the winner of three of his five career starts, hasn't raced since the end of November when he finished down the track to Mumslad on the Kensington track at Randwick over 1000m.

Mayfield-Smith said Tunahog found the surface too firm for him that day and the trainer has battled feet issues with the four-year-old since.

He believes he has the sprinter right for his return in the Skills Queensland National Apprentice Series Class Three Handicap (1000m).

"I think I have got him right but in saying that I haven't trialled him," Mayfield-Smith said.

"Time will tell, and the barrier draw (13) hasn't done him any favours.

"But I've got a good rider on him, he (Michael Palmer) is a mature apprentice."

The event is the second race in the national apprentice series featuring riders from around the country.

It will feature apprentices not only from Queensland but also a representative from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, NSW and the Northern Territory.

Jake Noonan won the opening race of the series at Moonee Valley last Friday night.

Mayfield-Smith has always had a good opinion of Tunahog and ventured to Sydney with him during the summer trying to boost his prizemoney with a view to the winter carnival in Brisbane.

"We'll just go from here and see what happens," Mayfield-Smith said.

"Hopefully he can come back as good as I think he is and then we can go from there."