D'Oro Primed to Hit His Straps Back on Home Turf

Homebody Dio D’Oro is ready to bounce back from a failed road trip to Cairns when he steps out at Cluden Park tomorrow.

The crack sprinter floundered in the Cairns Newmarket last month but trainer Matthew McGuire is confident the gelding will again be at his best on his home track in the Travel Associates Open Hcp (1300m).

Dio D’Oro was in brilliant form at Cluden before the Cairns flop, winning two and reeling off an eye-catching fourth in the Cleveland Bay on August 6.

“The horse doesn’t handle travel too well. He likes to be in his own surroundings,” McGuire said.

“We didn’t go to Mackay for the Newmarket because of it so we could have him right for the Cleveland Bay. 

“Even though he failed in Cairns last year we decided to give him another go - we were worried he wouldn’t handle it again and that’s exactly what happened.

“That’s why we opted out of the amateurs up there and saved him for tomorrow.

“He’s had three weeks since his last start and he’s loving his track work, he’s back into his normal routine and he’ll be firing and ready to go.

“I’m sure if he does everything right he’ll be right in it tomorrow.”

McGuire has engaged promising apprentice Cody Collis for his 3kg claim tomorrow to reduce Dio D’Oro’s top weight to 58.5kg from a wide draw.

Big weights are Dio D’Oro’s biggest obstacle in the north according to McGuire, and a southern trip is on the cards.

“We do have plans to send him south depending on how he goes tomorrow,” McGuire said.

“Obviously he’s just going to keep getting weight up here now.

“We may as well have a throw at the stumps down south and see how he goes.

“But ideally we’d like to have him stabled on track somewhere where he can settle into a routine, just walk to the races like he can here and not have to travel.”

Dio D’Oro will face a strong line-up tomorrow including good mare Let’s Go Bobby and Bowen galloper So You Dream.

Let’s Go Bobby from the in-form Georgie Holt stable returned to something like her best form with a fighting win at the Bowen TAB meeting over 1200m on September 1.

So You Dream has been sparingly raced this preparation and comes into the race off a solid fourth to Brad over 1300m in Mackay.

The nine-event card is the first race meeting on the freshly renovated Cluden track since Townsville Cup Day on August 6.

Races kicks off with the TAB QTIS 3YO Mdn Hcp (1300m) at 12.22pm.

Pictured: Dio D'Oro shooting to another win at Cluden Park in July. The talented sprinter returns to his home track tomorrow.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race day