Premiership Race Goes Down to the Wire as Tambo’s Justice Charges Into Cup Contention

The battle for the Townsville Trainers’ Premiership is set for a thrilling finish, with this Saturday’s meeting to decide who claims top honours for the 2024/25 season.

Georgie Holt, chasing her third straight title, has moved within one of current leader Stephen Massingham, whose two victories last meeting stretched his tally to 20. The Cairns based trainer, bolstered by his strong partnership with owner Tom Hedley, appears to have the edge heading into the final meet.

Holt, however, remains in striking distance after a strong showing last meeting, highlighted by the continued rise of carnival sensation Tambo’s Justice. The son of Justify turned the tables on Beau Rain to stamp his ticket in the $150,000 Ladbrokes Townsville Cup on August 9, after a gutsy performance in the Ladbrokes Magnetic Island (1609m)

It marked the sixth win from seven starts for the gelding, who debuted at Cluden Park in November and has risen rapidly through the grades.

“He just does enough each time. He’s got that fight in him and finds more when they come at him”, Holt said. It’s been such a rapid rise, but he keeps taking the next step and now he’s in the Cup.

While Holt is thrilled with the performance, she admits chasing down Massingham in the premiership remains a tall order.

“We’ve dialled things back this season with Aidan returning to race riding” she said. It’s something he’s wanted all his life, and now that he’s got his weight down, we’ve scaled back our numbers to keep things more manageable.”

Last year we had 26 in work, this year, far fewer. So to still be in the fight is a great result.”

Meanwhile, Massingham landed a Sunday double with Golden Octavian and Almighty Jab, helping extend his lead in the premiership and propelling stable rider Ryan Wiggins to an unassailable lead in the Townsville jockeys’ standings.

Wiggins, who also booted home a double last meeting, now holds a nine-win lead over Justin Stanley with 29 wins and just one meeting remaining.

“Steve’s horses are flying. They’re peaking at the right time, and I think he’ll have a really strong carnival in Townsville and Cairns,” Wiggins said.

The Brisbane-based hoop lifted his State-wide tally to 103 winners for the season and still has his sights on matching or bettering the 110 wins he notched two years ago.

“I’ve had a few suspensions and injuries, so it’s been a bit stop-start, but when I’ve been riding, I’ve been consistently getting results,” he said.