Holts Prove A Winning Combo On And Off The Track

Townsville racing’s young power couple Aidan and Georgie Holt are building a formidable record across the north, not just in the training ranks but in the jockeys’ room too.

In a first for Cluden Park, the husband and wife team is leading both the jockeys’ and trainers’ premierships, raising the prospect of an historic double.

Georgie has already created her own piece of history with successive Townsville trainers’ titles in 2023-24. She went within one win of claiming a hat-trick last year.

But with husband Aidan achieving success and consistency in the saddle after years of weight battles, the Holts’ hard working trainer-jockey double act is reaping richer rewards.

“To be where we are is something pretty special,” Georgie said this week.

“I see it really special for Aidan, more so than me. Obviously we've been together many years now and it was really hard the times when he couldn't ride because it's the only thing he's ever wanted to do in his life.

“Just having that time of so many years of not being in the saddle, it's so really, really good to see him now, you know, getting a kick along and riding winners.

“It’s just so good to see him at top of the premiership.

“And obviously doing it together is quite amazing too because it certainly takes a lot to do what we're doing.

“Don't get me wrong, there's been a few days lately thinking what are we doing to ourselves?

“But it's really good to be able to do it together.

“He’s such a big asset riding work and working out the horses.

“Obviously at home, we're such a team. Keeping his weight down has been so very hard for years and he’s done an amazing job.”

Georgie won back to back Cluden trainers’ titles in 2023 and 2024, before being pipped in the last race of the season last year by Stephen Massingham.

She leads this season’s race with 13 wins while Aidan is a win clear of the in-form Sean Cormack on the jockeys’ table with 12 Townsville wins. He’s ridden a total of 37 winners across the north so far this season at an impressive 18% strike rate.

And the Holts fancy their chances to add more wins to their respective tallies at Cluden Park on Thursday.

The stable has strong prospects with the unbeaten filly Gone Country, Scarlena and Tambo’s Sister in the Chrysalis Medispa QTIS 2YO Hcp (1000m), Storm Capital in the WRC Mdn Plate (1000m), Sweet Kisses in the Great Northern Brewing Co. Open Hcp (1200m) and Valubious in the Hygain BM 55 Hcp (1300m).

Holt scratched Pallarenda Stakes winner Better Blitzem from the 2YO because of a wide draw and will go directly into the QTIS Jewel Qualifier at Cluden on February 27.

Despite the absence of Better Blitzem, Holt has plenty of ammunition in the 2YO and is confident Gone Country can make it three wins from as many starts.  

“We've been quite blessed this season to have a handful of pretty good babies,” Holt said.

“We’ll save Better Blitzem. He’ll have a jump out on Friday instead and a softer run into the Jewel Qualifier.

“But the other three are very good chances.

“I think Gone Country may be just that bit too smart for them. She has proved herself right from the get go.

“Tambo Sister, does have natural ability, but is very green. I think she has the ability to put them away but it may just be a time factor with her.

“Scarlena finished off super the other day, gets in well this week with the weight and she’ll be running on.

Storm Capital in the Maiden is Aidan’s only ride for the stable, but a strong chance after a slight ease up according to Georgie.

She is expecting the former NSW trained gelding to bounce back from a flat third in the heat last start over 1200m on January 16.

“I’m very keen on Storm Capital. I think the backup last run did him no favours being new to the weather.

“We've spent a bit of time now between runs and I think we've got him back on track. He’s drawn ideally, which is fantastic.”

Holt is hoping a big pull in the weights will tip the scales in Sweet Kisses favour in the Open.

With 2kg claiming apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl in the saddle, the mare will have an 11.5kg weight advantage over the classy Northern Pride who will carry top weight of 65kg.

Handy mare Valubious will round out the stable’s day and comes off a freshen but from a wide barrier.