Tassie Sprint Double Target For Royal Ida

Another Tasmanian raid is planned for evergreen sprinter Royal Ida who is set to target a feature sprint double in the next month.

Trainer Luke Oliver said he was keen to run Royal Ida in the Listed thetote.com.au Stakes (1200m) at Launceston on January 27 and then try to win his second Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) at Hobart on February 13.

Last year Royal Ida beat prolific Tasmanian winner Conquering in the Lyons, which was his 18th victory.

He hasn't won in six runs since but despite his age he has been a consistent stakes performer.

On Saturday the 10-year-old gelding finished a close sixth to New Zealand-bound sprinter First Command in the Listed L T Cleary Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

"He had no luck from the barrier (11) with the big weight (58.5kg) against those horses but he pulled up really well," Oliver said.

"Once he gets back to weight-for-age again in that sort of class he will be right."

The Cleary was Royal Ida's first run since finishing third to Avenue and Dubleanny in the Listed Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown.

Last July he was third in the Monash Stakes, then fourth to Shoot Out in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes and fourth to Elusive Touch in the Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap.

Meanwhile trainer Lee Freedman has confirmed that First Command will fly to New Zealand this week for the Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on January 22.

"He is in really good form, fit and well, and is certainly well up to a race like that," Freedman said.

Last Saturday First Command carried 59kg and powered to the line in a fast 1.08.38 for the 1200m to win his ninth race in 17 starts.

Freedman said after the Telegraph First Command would be freshened for the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 26.

First Command has won five of his six starts at the track.

"He is just so brilliant at Caulfield," Freedman said.