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News
Keep up to date with what’s happening in the North Queensland racing scene, as well as major events happening at Cluden Park.
Russell Puts Plenty of Thought Into Shock Win
13th June 2025
Charters Towers trainer Julie Russell hardly slept a wink as she plotted a boilover win with her tough gelding Early Thoughts at Cluden Park on Thursday. Early Thoughts, having his first run back from...
Kliese Joins City’s Training Ranks at New Complex
11th June 2025
Veteran jockey Graham Kliese will begin a new chapter in a storied racing career when he saddles up his first runners as a trainer at Cluden Park on Thursday. Kliese, a multiple premiership winning jo...
Chambers Weaves Magic on Sheza Alibi in $100,000 Cluden Classic
9th June 2025
Rockhampton jockey Tasha Chambers knew she’d make an inside winning run on Sheza Alibi in Saturday’s $100,000 Lawrence & Hanson 2YO Classic at Cluden Park. Chambers, 45, a hard toiling...
Chilled Phil a Classic When it Comes to Race Day
6th June 2025
He’s a super cool little dude around the stables who goes by the name of Phil. Small in stature but tough as teak, he’s better known on the track as Satisfied Mugs - the short priced...
Upset Filly Drops a Bomb Of Rivals
28th May 2025
Temperamental filly Hand Grenade left her tricks at home and blew away her more fancied rivals with a boil over win at Cluden Park on Tuesday. Sent out a rank outsider at $21, Hand Grenade stunned her...
Comerford Hopeful of Coaxing Best from Ultimate
26th May 2025
Wulguru trainer Tony Comerford is convinced more wins are in store for consistent galloper Ultimate if he can just keep his mind on the job. Ultimate is one of the leading fancies in the Thank You A G...
Rocky Trainer Claims Biggest Win With Northern Jewel Title
19th May 2025
Rockhampton trainer Kris Hansen celebrated the biggest win of his brief career when Astra Star’s strode away with the $105,000 Great Northern Brewing Co. Northern Jewel at Cluden Park on Friday....
Tough Local Filly Takes on the Big Guns in Rich Northern Jewel
15th May 2025
Young Townsville trainer Megan Purvis knows her pint-sized filly Arguable faces a mountain to climb to win Friday’s $105,000 Great Northern Brewing Co. 3YO QTIS Northern Jewel at Cluden Park. Bu...
Roweiner Stakes his Claim as Cluden’s 1000m King
7th May 2025
It was a case of stick to what you do best for Roweiner’s Dance at Cluden Park on Tuesday - or at least for the time being. The flying son of Sidestep switched back to his pet 1000m distance and...
Justice Out to Prove Carnival Credentials
5th May 2025
Exciting Townsville four-year-old Tambo’s Justice will have a new jockey as he begins a campaign aimed at winter riches at Cluden Park on Tuesday. The Justify gelding, unbeaten in three starts, ...
Royes Continues Winning Streak with Sunday Double
28th April 2025
A gear change and a jump in distance did just the trick to lift former Victorian galloper Nolan to his first Cluden Park win on Sunday. The lightly-raced son of Caravaggio claimed an all-the-way win f...
Tom Hoping Honcho is Ready to Tee Off at Cluden
26th April 2025
Golf loving Bowen trainer Tom Button has resisted the temptation of using a claiming apprentice on reforming bad boy Head Honcho at Cluden Park on Sunday. Button has booked leading jockey Lacey Morris...
Kliese Bounces Back with a Little Held from Bowen
16th April 2025
Graham Kliese was a relieved man after finally putting a lengthy form slump behind him with a winning double at Cluden Park on Tuesday. Kliese, in the home stretch in a decorated career, was bac...
Old Boys Team up with Promising Carohvic
14th April 2025
Two veterans of Townsville racing will put their heads together to chase a breakthrough win with untapped two-year-old Carohvic at Cluden Park on Tuesday, Dual licensee trainer Peter Cullen and jockey...
Punt On The Weather Pays Off For Fred
7th April 2025
Cairns trainer Fred Wieland is thanking the racing gods that he took a gamble on the weather and raced at Cluden Park on Friday. Wieland made a 50-50 call on making the trip down the Bruce Highway aft...
Lacey Back in the Saddle for Cluden Return
3rd April 2025
Punters pin-up Lacey Morrison will make a low-key return to the saddle at Cluden Park on Friday after a four month stint on the sidelines with injury. Morrison, the undisputed champion rider in the No...
Filly Lands Don’t Argue Win in the Wet
28th March 2025
Little known filly Arguable will be set for the Townsville Guineas after a shock win on a rain drenched track at Cluden Park on Thursday. Arguable slogged her way to victory at 40-1 in the second race...
Missile Ready to Launch in Cluden Class Test
26th March 2025
A wet track and sharp rise in class holds no fears for Home Hill trainer Darby Amos with promising stayer Release Le Missile at Cluden Park on Thursday. Amos, who turns 38 on the day, is confident th...
Meehan Announces Arrival in the North with First Treble
24th March 2025
Irish born jockey Chris Meehan celebrated his impending Australian citizenship with a first ever winning treble at Cluden Park on Saturday. A one-time jumps jockey, Meehan had a day to remember winnin...
Royes Looking for Boy to Go Get Better Luck
20th March 2025
It has been an unusually lean season at Cluden Park for Wulguru trainer Steven Royes. The former underground miner has led in 10 winners on tracks from Cairns to Mackay, but luck has been thin on the ...
Whiteley Brings Down Curtain on Classy Career with Cluden Win
17th March 2025
Ace jockey Chris Whiteley saved a little flash of brilliance for the very last day of his riding career in Townsville on Friday. The 50-year-old, a winner of four Townsville Cups and two Cleveland Bay...
Rhein on the Board with First Cluden Win
17th March 2025
It was always just a matter of time, but young trainer Rhein Sewell continued his family’s rich racing legacy with his first Cluden Park winner on Friday. The 22-year-old cracked his Cluden duck...
Bub’s Colours Ride Again for Memorial Day
13th March 2025
Former jockey Bonnie Thomson enjoyed some of her best moments in racing with her old mate, the late Townsville trainer Bub Baker. Together Bonnie and Bub were a potent force with the tough and talente...
Winners Flowing for Rejuvenated Thomson
7th March 2025
Jockey Amanda Thomson is resetting her riding career with a red hot run of winners. The 36-year-old, who has had her share of brushes with racing authority, is making a telling comeback from racing&rs...
Mistaken Mare Shakes Off Mix Up to Make Her Mark
5th March 2025
Tricky Townsville mare Roth ‘N’ Bubble is making an impact on race tracks in the north all thanks to a mistaken identity. The flighty four-year-old will chase her fourth career win at Clud...
Smart Alex a Last Race Long Shot King
28th February 2025
It had all been so promising for gangly gelding Spontaneous Choice after he won on debut for Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff. He lobbed at 100-1, with some modest stable support, in a maiden at the rich ...
Roweiner is Back with New Tests Ahead
26th February 2025
Lightning is the word that readily comes to mind for slick Townsville sprinter Roweiner’s Dance. A winner of nine of his 13 starts over the 1000m at Cluden Park, one in record time, the flying s...
Tiny Mare Rallies Late to Land Another Win for Purvis
21st February 2025
A fitness edge helped lightly-raced mare Chirography to chalk up another win for young trainer Megan Purvis at Cluden Park on Thursday. Purvis, who has enjoyed a terrific winning run over the summer w...
Flighty Filly Ready to Step Up for Jewel Qualifier
19th February 2025
Cheeky filly Kobayastar has had some growing up to do but her trainer Matt McGuire is confident she’s set to shine. The lightly raced Kobayashi filly will take on her toughest task to date when ...
Shryn Strikes Again with Zooming Bolter
14th February 2025
Richmond trainer Shryn Royes boosted her reputation for long shot winners after bolter Ilzoomya landed a shock victory at Cluden Park yesterday. Royes pulled off a stunning upset with roughie Breakdan...
Top Stable Primed for Return to Racing
12th February 2025
Premier trainer Georgie Holt is keen to shake off the shackles of the big wet and return to winning form with racing set to return at Cluden Park on Thursday. Holt will saddle up eight runners in six ...
Chelsea Has Sights Set on Cracking 400 Winners
21st January 2025
Jockey Chelsea Jokic is well on the way to another career milestone after continuing a great start to the year at Cluden Park on Saturday. Jokic booted home winners Nev and roughie Castille and went d...
D’Avila Gives Cluden Riding Ranks Much Needed Boost
17th January 2025
D’Avila gives Cluden riding ranks much needed boost Nomadic jockey Wanderson D’Avila is a hard man to tie down, but he’s back in town and keen to again be a force in the northern rid...
Super Focused Stanley Surfing on Wave of Winners
15th January 2025
With body and strength at 100 per cent, highly respected jockey Justin Stanley is in the best shape he’s been in for 20 years. The 43-year-old remains showed he was at the peak of his powers wit...
Jemeldi Looks to Atone with Cluden Return
8th January 2025
Classy Bowen sprinter Jemedli was meant to be hobnobbing it at the big Magic Millions card this week but instead will chase lesser glory at Cluden Park tomorrow. Trainer Tom Button abandoned at the $3...
Bolter Spearheads First Double for Lachie
16th December 2024
Young Mackay trainer Lachie Manzelmann was pinching himself after landing a major upset with bolter King Jester and his first winning double at Cluden Park on Friday. Almost two years to the day...
Smart Sprinter Up Against Weight Dilemma
11th December 2024
Trainer Trevor Rowe is confident his gun sprinter Smart Image can produce another heroic effort with a huge weight at Cluden Park on Friday. But Rowe says a win with the huge impost of 66.5kg in the L...
Tough Mare Makes her Mark with Winning Run
10th December 2024
Townsville trainer Michael Geaney thinks From This Moment is a “diamond in the rough” after the mare scored another stunning win at Cluden Park on Thursday. Geaney won the 2018 Townsville ...
Trainer Keeps the Faith in Stable Favourite
4th December 2024
Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham will be tuning in somewhere in Italy to watch his tough old campaigner Battle Cry trying to land yet another win at Cluden Park on Thursday. Nine-year-old Battle Cry,...
Big Day for Grubby with Cluden Double
29th November 2024
The ever redoubtable Nathan “Grubby” Day has done his best to cover every inch of the State in his quest to ride winners. For most of the past decade the veteran jockey has spent more time...
Tambos Chase Family Double At Cluden
27th November 2024
Talented siblings Miss Tambo and Tambo’s Justice make a pretty good brother-sister act. The two Tambos will chase a rare same day double when they line-up as hot fancies for new trainer Georgie ...
Hughes Has a Winning Way with Wandjinas
18th November 2024
Hughes has a winning way with Wandjinas Popular Wulguru trainer Graham Hughes has well and truly been won over by the progeny of understated stallion Wandjina. Hughes continued his great run of succes...
Tricky Medal No Amateur When It Comes To Cups
15th November 2024
Tricky Medal No Amateur When it Comes to Cups Townsville trainer Stephen Bush wishes he had a stable full of horses as tough as his ever consistent galloper Medal. The much-travelled gelding has won t...
Sheargold Hits Purple Patch Form
13th November 2024
Jockey Scott Sheargold relished an opportunity to ride for the city’s leading stable with a gun ride to win on smart mare Miss Tambo at Cluden Park last Tuesday. Sheargold and Miss Tambo burst t...
Megan Chases Return Win on Cup Day Program
4th November 2024
Megan chases return win on Cup Day card Young Townsville hobby trainer Megan Purvis knows only too well that it takes bucket loads of hard work and patience to land winners in the racing game. Purvis,...
Gold Classic Gets it Inch Perfect to Take Pallarenda Stakes
28th October 2024
Racing and real estate pumps through the veins of Townsville racing diehards Graham and Shelly Lynham. The well-known Townsville realtors, have bred and raced numerous horses over the years but may we...
Tough Little Guy Chases Home Town Pallarenda Win For Holt Stable
25th October 2024
Tough little guy chases home town Pallarenda win Trainer Georgie Holt is hoping what diminutive colt Satisfied Mugs lacks in size he’ll make up with his raw competitive streak in the time-honour...
Turbeau Bucks the Trend with Big Finishing Win
14th October 2024
Turbeau Bucks the Trend with Big Finishing Win Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham is likely to delay a spell for tricky gelding Turbeau after his rodeo like win at Cluden Park on Sunday. Massingham tho...
Hatch Keen on Moktaffy Making the Grade
11th October 2024
Hatch Keen on Moktaffy Making the Grade Leading trainer Lindsay Hatch is confident city cast-off Moktaffy can take another step towards next month’s NQ Amateurs with a win at Cluden Park tomorro...
Holt Stable Building Numbers for Another Premiership Tilt
5th October 2024
Holt stable building numbers for another premiership tilt With a shift south now on the backburner, leading trainer Georgie Holt is fully focused on claiming a third straight Cluden Park premiership w...
Pride Bright as a Button for Cleveland Bay
2nd August 2024
Bowen trainer Tom Button believes there is a strong sense of timing with lightweight chance Northern Pride going into the prestigious Ladbrokes Cleveland Bay Hcp on Saturday. The Better Than Ready fou...
Cups King Calls Time on Legendary Career
1st August 2024
Training legend Errol Sewell, the man behind the great Party King and his three straight Townsville Cup wins, has called it a day. Sewell, 85, this week handed over the stable reigns to his grandson R...
Spy a Cup Contender in Making After Belle Win
29th July 2024
Rockhampton trainer Graeme Green predicted a Cups future for classy mare Top Spy after her dominant win in the $50,000 Aquis Belle of the Burdekin (1400m) at Cluden Park on Sunday. Top Spy made light ...
Lacey Cracks Season Century with Guineas Day Treble
29th July 2024
Nothing was going to stop the indomitable Lacey Morrison from breaking through the 100 win barrier for the season at Cluden Park on Sunday. The 40 year-old mum was at her consummate best with a second...
Kenning Duo Primed for Guineas Day Test
26th July 2024
Wulguru trainer Bill Kenning is confident his stable’s “brothers in arms” Beau Rain and Roweiner’s Dance are peaking for a crack at a feature race double on Magic Million...
Button Wins Wild Card for Cleveland Bay with Promising Pride
22nd July 2024
Just days ago, Bowen trainer Tom Button was staring down the prospect of not having a big race contender over the Ladbrokes Winter Racing Carnival at Cluden Park. That all changed on Saturday when his...
Young Josh on a Cup Mission with Two Contenders
22nd July 2024
Rookie Mackay trainer Joshua Manzelmann has never had a runner in the $150,000 Ladbrokes Townsville Cup. Now he will have two. Manzelmann’s tough stayer Fortified continued his resurgent form to...
Hatch Timing His Run to the Cup with Sayl
19th July 2024
Astute trainer Lindsay Hatch will be looking for a flash of old form from Cups warrior Sayl as he caps off one last Townsville Cup campaign on Explore Property Munro & Co Ladies Day at Cluden Park...
$10 Million Boost for Cluden Park Training Facilities
15th July 2024
The ongoing transformation of Townsville Turf Club is set to continue with 92 on-course stables approved for construction at Cluden Park as part of an exciting new $10 million project. The project is ...
Get Race Day Ready | Brooke
12th July 2024
Whether you’re entering Fashions on the Field or coming along to enjoy the day’s festivities, we asked the Cluden Park Fashions Committee to share their race day fashion and beauty in...
Get Race Day Ready | Amy & Jackie
11th July 2024
Whether you’re entering Fashions on the Field or coming along to enjoy the day’s festivities, we asked the Cluden Park Fashions Committee to share their race day fashion and beauty in...
Get Race Day Ready | Declan
11th July 2024
Whether you’re entering Fashions on the Field or coming along to enjoy the day’s festivities, we asked the Cluden Park Fashions Committee to share their race day fashion and beauty in...
Get Race Day Ready | Sue
10th July 2024
The metallic court heel further accentuates the Winter/Autumn theme, completing the ensemble elegantly....
Get Race Day Ready | Alicia
10th July 2024
Whether you’re entering Fashions on the Field or coming along to enjoy the day’s festivities, we asked the Cluden Park Fashions Committee to share their race day fashion and beauty in...
Surprise Cup Start Awaits Whit
8th July 2024
Young trainer Joshua Manzelmann is still pinching himself after sprinter-turned-miler Such A Whit locked in an unlikely Ladbrokes Townsville Cup start with an upset win at Cluden Park on Sunday. Such ...
Towers Trainer Targets Dollar with Untapped Witness
5th July 2024
Charters Towers trainer Rob Kirkwood is keen to see unheralded three-year-old Reliable Witness finally unleash his potential as carnival racing heats up at Cluden Park on Sunday. Kirkwood’s pati...
Chilli Steps Up As Carnival Contender
4th July 2024
Flying mare Chilli Jam emerged as a genuine winter carnival contender after scoring a stunning win at Cluden Park on Tuesday but not before a pre-race scare. Chilli Jam tried to bolt in the bird cage ...
Jokic Banks on Jockey Change for Acrobatic
28th June 2024
Wulguru jockey-trainer Chelsea Jokic is hoping a rider switch will continue to spark a form revival for Brisbane cast-off Acrobatic at Cluden Park on Tuesday. Jokic is again happy to hand the reins ov...
Legend and Lacey Claim NQ Cup
25th June 2024
Late bloomer Speed Legend showed his liking for the Cluden Park track with a strong win in the Ladbrokes NQ Cup (1609m), but the Townsville Cup is unlikely to be on his target list. Speed Legend, ridd...
Sayl Back to Chase Swan Song Cup Win
21st June 2024
Grand old Cups warrior Sayl will launch his final northern carnivals campaign when he tackles the Ladbrokes NQ Cup (1609m) at Cluden Park on Sunday. The rising nine-year-old, whose career began in Fra...
Weighty Headache Ahead for Rowe After Image Roars Home
14th June 2024
Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe will have to chart a careful path to the Cleveland Bay Hcp with Smart Image after his stunning win with a huge impost at Cluden Park yesterday. The powerful sprinter defied ...
Yes, Ricky's Back and with a Carnival Dream
12th June 2024
Astute Atherton trainer Ricky Ludwig has come out of retirement with big race plans for a surprise new stable runner, Cluden Park specialist Yes Dream. Ludwig ended five-months on the sidelines for th...
Randy Upstages All Comers in Big Win for Holts
10th June 2024
The late addition of blinkers proved a masterstroke in Townsville trainer Georgie Holt’s stunning home town win with Dance For Me Randy in Saturday’s Lawrence & Hanson 2YO Classic at C...
Prophet Spearheads Holts' Chase for Classic Win
7th June 2024
Not even a wide barrier draw can faze trainer Georgie Holt about the chances of crack filly Time To Prophet in the north’s richest two-year-old race at Cluden Park on Saturday. Holt will saddle ...
Winter Has Arrived! Let's Open the Ladbrokes Winter Racing Carnival
5th June 2024
Celebrations are set to unfold at Cluden Park as the Townsville Turf Club celebrates 150-years since its inception in 1874. Central to festivities is the 2024 $1 Million Ladbrokes Winter Racing Carniv...
Joy for Korchnoi as He Settles Into Northern Racing
27th May 2024
Life has taken a hard road for fallen Brazilian star Olympic Korchnoi, but he’s carving out a low-key career in the north that may yet take him to country Cups glory. The travel weary six-year-o...
Allez Paris Eyes Final Shot at Classic Qualification
24th May 2024
Nothing would give Cluden trainer Les Gordy a bigger kick than to have a shot at the north’s biggest two-year-old race with his home bred filly Allez Paris. But the promising daughter of Kobayas...
Hard Working Tyler On the Board with First Cluden Win
20th May 2024
The winning post seemed to take an eternity to come up for battling apprentice Tyler Leslight, but the result was never in doubt. Leslight, 24, made every post a winner to bring up his first Cluden vi...
Final Classic Test for Errant Honcho
16th May 2024
Bowen trainer Tom Button is banking on more gear changes and a return to Townsville’s Cluden Park to bring out the best in wayward two-year-old Head Honcho on Friday. The erratic sprinter will b...
Chillemi Strikes with Purpose and Speed
8th May 2024
Veteran trainer Roy Chillemi reminded everyone he’s still a force to be reckoned with after landing a winning double at Cluden Park on Tuesday. Chillemi combined with premier hoop Lacey Morrison...
Ex Kiwi Thriving with Winning Streak
7th May 2024
Leading trainer Georgie Holt is confident stable “firecracker” Mooloolaba can go bang at Cluden Park again on Tuesday and bring up his fourth straight win. The head strong gallop...
Cluden Park Fibre Training Track Complete
2nd May 2024
Cluden Park’s incredible facilities continue to be enhanced with the delivery of a new fibre sand track in Townsville. The $1.6 million upgrade, which was completed by Martin Collins Australia, ...
Vale Backs Up Namazu Magic with Cluden Double
1st May 2024
Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale hasn’t had time to celebrate Namazu’s home town win in the $1 million Archer but a winning double at Cluden Park has made the wait a little sweeter. Vale had...
Glitter to Sparkle in Cluden Return
29th April 2024
Bowen trainer Tom Button will run Rockhampton Classic winner Silver Glitter at Cluden Park on Tuesday to keep open an option for a possible Brisbane trip. Button has reassessed plans with the exciting...
Northern Stint Gives Lachlan a Career Boost
24th April 2024
Visiting Victorian apprentice Lachlan Overall is well on the way to rebooting his career after a winning double at Cluden Park on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, who has ridden winners from Morphettville to...
Legend Stamps Himself a Major Battle Contender
24th April 2024
Mackay trainer John Manzelmann is growing in confidence that Tiger Legend can deliver him his first win in the Battle of the Bush final. Tiger Legend, a Group 3 winner early in his career in Brisbane,...
Roweiner's Kicks Off D Day Campaign
22nd April 2024
Crack three-year-old Roweiner’s Dance will start his countdown to Townsville’s richest sprint when he resumes at Cluden Park on Tuesday, but another city tilt is still in the works. Wulgur...
Winners Flow For In-Form Semmens
15th April 2024
Apprentice of the moment Gabrielle Semmens is in a hurry to ride winners. The Bowen based hoop showed just why she’s becoming the go to apprentice in the north with another winning double at Clu...
Chelsea Pumped Up for Northern Return
12th April 2024
Popular jockey Chelsea Jokic will step up her return to the northern riding ranks at Cluden Park tomorrow pain free and with a renewed determination. Jokic, who shifted from Townsville to the south-ea...
Winners Keep Rolling for Happy Holts
5th April 2024
Leading trainer George Holt is wondering just how long the winners will keep rolling after landing another winning treble at Cluden Park. Holt was on top again and opening up a big gap on her rivals i...
Honcho Kicks Off Run to the Classic
3rd April 2024
Bowen trainer Tom Button wants to see promising youngster Head Honcho capitalise on a massive drop in class at Cluden Park tomorrow on his way to bigger riches in the winter. Head Honcho is a three ti...
Cyclone Blows Mareeba Champ Back to the Track
21st March 2024
Early retirement isn’t for everyone, and that’s certainly the case for popular Mareeba champ, Paniagua. The one time cult galloper will add another chapter to his remarkable story when he ...
Morrison Has Magic Touch in Four Win Haul
18th March 2024
Premier hoop Lacey Morrison is inching closer to life after riding but in the meantime there’s no stopping her on the race track. Morrison produced a riding masterclass at Cluden on Friday, land...
Vale John Lyons, Life Member and Community Advocate
14th March 2024
Cluden Park will pay tribute to the life of the late John Lyons with a race named in his honour tomorrow – the Vale John Lyons Open Hcp (1000m). Mr Lyons was a life member of the Townsville Turf...
Chilli Running Hot in Quest of Hat-Trick
14th March 2024
Speedy mare Chilli Jam will be out to prove she’s a bit better than moderate Summer class when she chases a hat-trick of wins at Cluden Park tomorrow. The much-travelled mare will line-up a shor...
Timely Downpour a Blessing for Beth
6th March 2024
A mid-meeting downpour came just in time to help the promising Yellowstone Beth to a big first-up win at Cluden Park yesterday. The Lindsay Hatch trained filly relished the soft 7 track downgrade and ...
Peter Excited with Return of Stable Star
4th March 2024
Talented filly Craicaro could well prove to be the horse good enough to take Wulguru trainer Peter Cullen south for a crack at Brisbane racing. The promising filly will kick off her 2024 campaign at C...
Royes Relishes Full Time Training with Winning Double
28th February 2024
Townsville trainer Steven Royes is finally fulfilling a dream as a full time trainer. The former Mt Isa-based mine worker felt vindicated with his decision to go full time into training five weeks ago...
Frank's Back on Track for the Love of the Game
26th February 2024
Veteran jockey Frank Edwards is part of that old school breed in racing whose love for the game compels them to keep going. Edwards, at age 60, is on the comeback path from a horrific fall in Mareeba ...