Tom Pushes the Button on Hellish in Chairman’s Sprint
Nothing gets the blood flowing more for trainer Tom Button than a good round of golf or a big race win.
Golf mad Button is now counting down the days to next month’s Cleveland Bay Hcp after Hellish gave him a third straight win in The Ville Chairman’s Sprint at Cluden on Sunday.
Hellish made it back to back wins in the key carnival lead-up which Button also won in 2024 with Northern Pride before he went on to win the Cleveland Bay.
Cleverly ridden in front by Tahlia Fenlon, Hellish cruised to an easy win and another guaranteed start in the Cleveland Bay on August 8.
“That was a perfect ride by Tahlia. I thought he could lead and she was able to take her time to get to the front. She rated him a treat and he was able to give a good kick off the corner,” Button said.
“He won this race last year and went to the Cleveland Bay but he drew 20 and that put an end to that. He’s a speed horse, it was a fast run race and he was nowhere from out there.
“We might go that way again and go to the Mackay Newmarket in between.
“The 1200m seems to be his sweet spot and 1300m is a bit of a test but there’s nowhere else really to go with him.
“That’s three wins on the hop in this race now. Northern Pride won it three years ago and won the Cleveland Bay so it’s a good guide.
“He’ll also head that way.”
Last year’s Cleveland Bay winner Speed Legend was an eye-catching fourth on Sunday under his massive weight of 66kg.
He finished fourth in the race with 64kg last year in his final lead-up run.
Trainer Stephen Massingham was delighted with the rising 10-year-old’s run, but disappointed with the unplaced run of favourite Lean Eagle.
Leading trainer Georgie Holt has all but sewn up her third Townsville premiership in four years after landing a winning treble.
Holt has now trained 30 Cluden winners this season, 14 clear of title holder Massingham, with just one meeting to go.
The stable won the last three races including the Ladbrokes Winter Cup with John Joseph who earned a guaranteed start in the Townsville Cup after a ground-saving Ash Butler ride.
Stablemates Cifonelli and Ellis Beach also saluted with Holt’s husband Aidan in the saddle.
Holt said John Jospeh deserved his win after a slow build-up this campaign.
“Fiona (Sandkuhl) got off him last start after his run over the mile and said he wanted further and this race came up at the right time and we were lucky enough to snag the win,” Holt said.
“Ash rode him beautifully and he fought hard to get there.
“He ran a few good races over staying trips last year and he was pretty strong today.
“We’ll leave it up to his owners who are in Victoria to make the call, but he’s guaranteed a run in the Cup now.
“We haven’t got a lot of carnival horses this year, so it’s extra good to claim a treble today and qualify one for the Cup.
“Last year the premiership was a nail biter and went right down to the last race of the season. But we’ve bounced back and this will be our third (premiership) in four years so it’s a great effort by the whole team.”