Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith is hoping for a gold medal performance from Danagaze when the gelding makes his comeback at Doomben on Saturday.
Danagaze returns in the Black Label Corp Events Handicap (1350m) at his first start since finishing fifth to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Kontiki Park in the Listed Bernborough Handicap at Doomben in late December.
The seven-year-old has a good first-up record with two wins and as many placings from four attempts in a 22-start career which had yielded six wins.
The son of Intergaze's last win was just over a year ago when he was successful in an 1800-metre Class Six Plate at Eagle Farm in July last year.
Danagaze, who was runner-up in last year's Listed Ipswich Cup (2100m) behind Victorian Gold In Dubai, has been in work for two months after spending a month on the water walker in pre-training.
"He spent a month on the water walker near Logan before he came back into my stables about two months ago," Mayfield-Smith said.
"He's also had a trial which I was really pleased with.
"He came from well back in the trial and made up good ground behind Koranovsky who raced well when she finished second at Doomben last week."
Mayfield-Smith is never afraid to travel his horses but has no specific plans in mind with Danagaze this campaign.
"He's seven now but the Intergaze's get better with age," he said.
"I'm not looking at taking him to Sydney at this stage and more than likely he'll have a crack at the big mile races here like the Brisbane and Recognitions Handicaps coming up later in the year.
"It's a long way to go to Sydney if it happens to be wet and he's not good on soft ground.
"But I'm expecting him to run well on Saturday especially with his claim."
Danagaze didn't race in last year's Brisbane Handicap at Eagle Farm but was a sound fourth to Patinack Farm's Wonderful Lass in the Recognition Stakes last December.
Danagaze will be ridden by former New Zealand apprentice Ryan Hurdle whose three kilogram claims brings Danagaze well in with 56kgs.
Meanwhile trainer Liam Birchley will be cheering his Doomben runners home from Sydney where he'll saddle up Harlequin's Gold in the Canterbury BMW Inglis Bonus (1200m) at Canterbury.
Birchley, who won Thursday's Coffs Harbour Cup with Pepperwood, will start Liesele and Devils Melody in the McInnes Wilson One Metro Win Handicap (1110m).
Birchley is reluctant to separate his pair but admitted Liesele is favoured by a better barrier draw.
"She's a recent winner and she should get another cosy run from the gate so I'm hopeful with her," Birchley said.
Liesele, who is yet to win at Doomben, has four wins and 12 placings in her 23-start career.
Racing Queensland webnews Aug 3
Photo: Trackside Photography
