Big Day Ahead for Shred with Gun Rides

Veteran trainer Roy Chillemi has made a major tactical decision to beat the handicapper with the booking of stable apprentice Rachel Shred for classy gallopers Missile Thunder and Palencia at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Shred, who claims 3kg, has also been retained for the ride on cult horse Paniagua on the marathon 11 race card.

Missile Thunder has won his only three starts and will run a short priced favourite in the C.U.B QTIS 2YO Hcp (1200m) and Palencia will line-up one of the top fancies in the Vale Monica Wode 3YO Hcp (1300m).

Chillemi said Shred’s weight allowance would be a big plus for Missile Thunder and Palencia who both have top weight of 60kg.

“I want the weight relief for both of them. Going with the claim instead of the senior riders is a risk I’m prepared to take,” Chillemi said.

“The seniors will go back on for the bigger races.

“I was very happy with Rachel’s ride to win on Willygood the other day and it was good for her confidence.

“Missile Thunder has missed a bit of match fitness with a cancelled meeting in Cairns and a deleted race in Townsville so he’ll come on from this run.

“Palencia had a set back with a virus and I’m still not 100 per cent happy with him. 

“I’m nursing him a bit and not doing too much with him and I’m working to have him at his peak for the Jewel.”

Palencia, the top two-year-old last season, is a leading local contender for the $105,000 Northern Jewel (1300m) in Townsville on May 20.

Shred will also ride Tycoon Cindy in the TAB 2YO Mdn (1000m) and Bet On Love against in-form Rockhampton raider The Egyptian in the Gallagher Insurance Open Hcp (1000m) for the Chillemi stable.

In a big day for the young rider, she will also continue her association with popular galloper Paniagua (64kg) in the Ferguson Electrical Open Hcp (1609m).

The Egyptian will chase his third straight Cluden win in the Open sprint against a strong line-up that includes Full Recognition, El Shaday and Higher Realm.

Tomorrow’s huge 11-race card kicks off with Race 1 at 11am and winds up with Race 11 at 5.05pm.

Pictured: Apprentice Shred guides Paniagua to a win at Cluden in March. She will again ride the popular galloper and boom gallopers Missile Thunder and Palencia for her master Roy Chillemi on tomorrow’s big 11-race card at Cluden.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race day