Choir Boy On Song for Classic for Big Band of Owners

Unbeaten Townsville gelding Choir Boy will have a chorus of owners around Australia singing from the rooftops if he wins Saturday’s $100,000 2yo Classic at Cluden Park.

Choir Boy is raced by an ownership group of 20 headed by Aaron Kingshott, some as far away as the Northern Territory, South Australia and Victoria.

Trainer Carl Spry said Choir Boy’s preparation had run smoothly and the team was expecting a big run on Saturday.

“I said to the owners to pencil in this weekend when he won first up and everything has gone to plan so far,” Spry said.

“These owners are a great bunch of people who race horses all over Australia and love going to the carnivals to watch them race.

“A number of them are hoping to be here Saturday but it will depend on Covid travel restrictions.

“Either way if he gets up there’ll be some parties going on.”

Choir Boy will go into the Classic unbeaten in two starts, both at Cluden Park.

The son of Divine Prophet was super impressive winning on debut over 1000m on April 27 and followed up with a last-to-first win over the classy filly Husette at 1200m on May 13.

Spry, who will also ride Choir Boy in Saturday’s race, said the gelding was a natural.

“The owners bought the horse from Aquis Park on an online Inglis auction to race for QTIS money and he only arrived at my place in March,” Spry said.

“I rode a few winners for them in the NT and because of that connection they offered him to me.

“We knew we had a horse with a bit of ability after he won a jumpout here and got his barrier ticket.

“I got Nathan Day, who’s a good mate, to ride him one morning in a gallop. He’s been riding for a thousand years and he gave me a good report on him.

“The horse has really come on since his first win and he’s been able to have a nice break between runs going into Saturday.

“For a young horse he’s very intelligent and can race on the pace or from behind and that’s a big asset. 

“These big races are always hard to win – everyone’s a chance - but I’m very happy with him and I expect him to go well.”

Pictured: Choir Boy winning the 2yo Classic Preview at Cluden Park last month with Carl Spry in the saddle. The Townsville gelding will be a leading hope in Saturday's $100,000 Classic. Photo courtesy of Mike Mills Photography. 

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