Aged Care brings Cup dream closer for Muttaburra

Aged Care brings Cup dream closer for Muttaburra
Pint sized gelding Aged Care will chase a fairytale win in next Saturday’s
Ladbrokes Townsville Cup after a stunning win at Cluden Park on
Ladies’ day on Saturday.
A low rated class 4 sprinter, Aged Care emerged from carnival obscurity
after claiming a last stride win in The Ville Mayor’s Cup (1609m).
The race provided Aged Care with a wildcard entry into the Cup and a
shot at winning the city’s biggest race for veteran trainer Gary
“Muttaburra” Dickson and owners Bob and Wendy Pack.
Aged Care had never won beyond 1200m until Saturday.
But at his first run at the mile, the five-year-old sustained a strong finish
in the final 200m for jockey Chelsea Jokic to run down Free Carry and
Canberra Legend.
Dickson, who turned 75 this year, is now a step closer to a lifelong
ambition to win the Cup and a second victory for the Packs who shared
in the ownership of Gift Man who won in 1991.
“When I brought him back in this time I said he’s my cup horse this
horse,” Dickson said.
“I’ve always wanted to win a Townsville Cup and I think he’s a good
chance.
“He’d won a 1000m, 1100m, and two 1200m races but never beyond
that.
“I knew I could get him out over further. Today he got across and
dropped the bit and settled perfectly and won like a good horse.
“He was only a class 4 horse so surely he gets into the Cup on the
minimum.
“He had to win today to get a run in the Cup. I could have started him in
the 1300m (Cape Cleveland), but I knew he’d be better off over a longer
trip with the light weight.
“He’s untested over 2000m but I believe he can go to another level. If he
can run it he’ll nearly win. Whatever beats him will win if he can stay.

“I’ve got him where I want him now and I’ll just potter along with him over
the next week.”
Jokic, who won the Townsville Cup in 2018 on Lady Skills, was confident
after the win in Aged Care’s staying ability.
“The way he settled today I think he can get the 2000m and I’m so
happy to be riding him. I think he’s got a very good chance,” Jokic said.
Saturday’s other feature race winners Russian Mint in the Clipsal
Lightning, and Tambo’s Justice in the Ladbrokes Cape Cleveland, will
both back up in the Cleveland Bay Hcp.
Russian Mint pulled off a rare feat with his second successive win in the
Lightning.
Trainer Tom Button confirmed the slick sprinter will push out to the
1300m of the Cleveland Bay.
“I was very confident coming into the race today. With the map of the
race they were always going to go ridiculously fast and he can always sit
on the back of hard pace and show a turn of foot like that,” Button said.
“I think we’ll push on to next week. I think these open company horses
there’s only so many races for them once they go up in the ratings.
“The Cleveland Bay is the biggest sprint in the north in my opinion and
the owners are keen to win it.
“The 1300m is at his outer limit but I did give him a little 1400m test a
couple of months back and he went well.”
Button will now have three runners in the Cleveland Bay Hcp - Russian
Mint, Northern Pride and Hellish - in a race that holds a special
significance for the family.
He won the big sprint with Northern Pride in 2024 and Heartbreak Harry
in 2007 and his father Tony won with Yallah Stringer in 2000.
Well known Townsville bookmaker and owner Dalan Tamblyn confirmed
Tambo’s Justice would back up in the Cleveland Bay Hcp.
Tamblyn enjoyed his biggest moment in racing when the filly he part
owns, Spicy Martini, claimed this year’s G1 Stradbroke Hcp in Brisbane.

“We went for the Cup with him (Tambo’s Justice) last year but he didn’t
stay. I’ve always wanted to win the biggest races in my home town so
we’re in and we have to have a crack if he pulls up well.”
Tambo’s Justic will then go on to the Cairns Newmarket three weeks
later.
The barrier draw for the Ladbrokes Townsville Cup and Cleveland Bay
Hcp will be held at The Docks Flinders Street Wharves on Wednesday,
August 5 at 6pm.