Beau on Cup Trajectory After Thrilling Win

Tough galloper Beau Rain is on track for a Townsville Cup mission after a powerhouse performance to win at Cluden Park on Sunday.

Beau Rain, ridden by Justin Stanley, overcame a wide run to swamp Stats and boom galloper Tambo’s Justice in a thrilling finish to the Belle Property Townsville Open Hcp (1400m).

Wulguru trainer Bill Kenning said Beau Rain, last year’s Townsville Guineas winner, would back up in next Saturday’s Magnetic Mile to chase a golden ticket into Cup.

“He’s on target for where we want to go, the Cup,” Kenning said.

“He’s not bred to run further than seven furlongs but the way he’s racing he’ll get a mile no worries and if he continues to relax there’s a good chance he’ll get a trip.

“Justin said the mile will suit him down to the ground – he won the Guineas last year sitting four deep.

“Today he was three wide and came around the corner like a crab out six wide on the very outside of them and just kept coming.

“What was really pleasing was the way he settled so well and didn’t pull.

“He’s going around in the mile next week and that will qualify him for the cup if he wins, and then I can rest him and do what I like in the lead-up.

“He won’t go around in the Winter Cup over 2000m on the 19th. I’ll see how he goes next week and work it out from there.”

Kenning has a Townsville Cup under his belt, but as a jockey.

He steered Only Chance to victory in 1997 for his partner Julie Bell.

“It’s been a long time between drinks, but we haven’t had that many runners in the race since then,” Kenning said.

“Beau Rain’s a little bit similar to Only Chance. He used to over race and go keenly in the early days. Before we got him he used to bolt. We took him to the beach and got him to settle down and he won seven straight.

“Once we got him settled he’d run 2000m every day.

“This bloke was keen early but he’s starting to settle and it was a great example of that today.”

Leading trainer Georgie Holt was full of praise for Tambo’s Justice after he led until the final few strides at his first attempt at open class.

The Justify gelding went into the race as a $2.25 favourite against open company after winning his first five starts.

Holt said the gelding was likely to also back-up in the Magnetic Mile to set up a return clash with Beau Rain.

“As long as he pulls up well we’ll still head to the Magnetic Mile next Saturday and get him over a bit more ground,” Holt said.

“We’re still learning about the horse and he’s still learning what it’s all about. I’m absolutely rapt in the horse.

“If he gets the mile brilliant, if not we’ll have a rethink.

“Taking on good open horses at just his sixth race start and going so close is a fantastic effort.”

Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham said Stats may be kept to shorter trips during the carnival including a possible Cleveland Bay Hcp start.

He will also keep smart mare Lady Damus fresh and restricted to her pet 1000m distance after she recorded her fourth win from five starts at the trip on Sunday.

Leading jockey Ryan Wiggins timed his run perfectly to win on lady Damus in the Great Northern Brewing Co. BM60 Hcp.

Wiggins landed four winners for the day to take an eight win lead in the Townsville jockeys’ premiership with 27 wins.

Mt Isa trainer Jay Morris pulled off a successful raid with western flyer Revolt in the Queensland Plastic Surgery QTIS 3YO Hcp (1200m).

Revolt gripped on under jockey Sean Cormack to beat Skogafos and the unlucky Kobayastar.

Morris stayed home to saddle up six runners in Mt Isa on Saturday and left the away duties to wife Tamara.

Revolt is now unbeaten in four starts for Morris and owner Andrew Saunders.

“We’ve got a bit of an opinion of him after his three wins out here. I probably should have taken him across after his first win but we finally got there and he did a top job,” Morris said.

“You wouldn’t think much of him on his work. He only does what he has to do.

“Sean rode him really well. He nursed him for as long as could with the 60kg and he had that kick at the finish.

“Not sure what’s next with him, maybe one more."