Image Humming for Cluden Return

A slick jumpout has Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe in no doubt carnival contender Smart Image is ready to turn in a booming first up run at Cluden Park on Saturday.

Rowe is confident the former Brisbane galloper, unbeaten in four northern runs, is the horse to beat in the BFQ Accountants Open Hcp (1000m) in his first run back from a three month spell.

“He’s had a good spell and he trialled really nicely. Anything that beats him will know they’ve been in a race,” Rowe said

“I was more than happy with his trial. He was a bit tardy away but once he got going he really stretched out and I couldn’t have been happier with him.”

Smart Image, formerly trained by Peter and Paul Snowden in Sydney and Tony Gollan in Brisbane, has made a big impression this summer since joining the Trevor and Peter Rowe stables in Cairns late last year.

A winner as a two-year-old at Rosehill and Warwick Farm, the five-year-old has has recaptured his form in the north with three strong wins in Cairns and another at Cluden, convincing Rowe he’s carnival grade.

“He’s above average with horses I’ve had in the past, mind you this race on Saturday is the strongest race he’s been in since he arrived in the north,” Rowe said. 

“But look I’m really confident he’ll do well because his trial was just ultra impressive. He trialled with a couple of other open horses and he just left them behind. 

“He’s adjusted to the tropics quite well. The heat doesn’t seem to be bothering him and barring bad luck I think he’ll be a very strong chance in some of our bigger races.

“He’s probably about 85 per cent. He’s only had the one trial over 800m and he had a good blow after that and I’m sure whatever he does on Saturday he’ll improve again.

“We’ll take it a step at a time with him and work out where we go next depending on how he goes on Saturday.”

Rowe has engaged his stable apprentice Krysten Swaffer, who can claim 2kg off the gelding 60kg top weight, after regular rider Lacey Morrison was already taken up with another ride in the race.

Smart Image is at the head of markets for the race from gate 2 but is set for a mouth-watering clash with 1000m Cluden specialist Molongle Surprise who is also resuming and has gate 1.

Molongle Surprise has won five from seven over the track and distance and is also first-up after a four-month break during the heat of the summer.

The six-year-old was primed up for his return with a strong barrier trial win at Cluden on March 17 but is yet to win in three first-up runs.

To add spice to the affair, Rockhampton trainer Jared Wehlow will run the smart Mischief Managed and veteran sprinter Desert Man, and Bill Kenning will start the lightly weighted Dawn Too Good who will carry just 54kg and is coming off a fast win in restricted class at Cluden last start.

Meanwhile, Kenning has booked leading hoop Lacey Morrison for the ride his outstanding home spun youngster Roweiner’s Dance in the Cluden Park QTIS 2YO Hcp (1000m).

A winner of four from six over the 1000m at Cluden, Roweiner’s Dance will have to carry 61kg in a small field which includes the promising Clinton Taylor-trained Bush Diamond.

Emotions will be high for the Taylor stable. Bush Diamond was raced by high profile Central Queensland cattleman and race horse owner Alan Acton who was killed in a helicopter crash near Bingegang on April 4.

His funeral was held in Rockhampton on Friday.

Jockey’s in Saturday’s race will wear black armbands as a sign of respect for Mr Acton, who with his wife Jenny, raced many good horses, including the outstanding Outback Barbie.

Pictured: Cairns sprinter Smart Image races clear for an impressive win at Cluden in December.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.