Local Win in Lightning Thriller

Wulguru trainer Gary “Muttaburra” Dickson gave high praise to Caloundra jockey Nathan Thomas after he lifted Temple Run to a nose win in Friday's Global Welding Supplies Lightning Hcp (1000m) at Cluden Park.

In a desperate finish Temple Run survived a late surge from El Shaday to win by a nose with a brave Aspen Lad a short neck away in third.

“I thought he got beaten. I turned and congratulated Andrew Cameron (El Shaday’s trainer) and then when we got to the saddling enclose he shook my hand and said no you won alright,” Dickson said.

“He’s a good horse who just won’t lie down.

“Nathan is a very nice fella and he was really good on him.”

The win was the second leg a winning double for Thomas who won the previous race on the Graham Hughes-trained Wanna Tweat.

A regular on the northern racing circuit, Thomas has now ridden Temple Run in three straight wins and predicts more wins to come.

“He was only a class three horse a couple of runs ago and now he’s won two opens. He’s a nice horse and he’ll win better races,” Thomas said.

“Getting the double was a great result. I seem to ride a winner every time I come up here.

“The more winners you ride the more they want you.”

Following the Lightning, Rockhampton trainer Graeme Green and jockey Chris Whiteley combined to win the inaugural $50,000 Belle of the Burdekin (1400m) with bold front runner Taraki.

Under 62kg, the mare led throughout and fended off a late run from El Of A Saga to win by a long neck with Let’s Go Bobby a nose away third.

Whiteley made it a winning double with a nose win on the Peter Fleming-trained Ollie’s Stand after a two horse battle down the Cluden straight with stablemate Palate.

Townsville based Wanderson D’Avila also landed a double, winning on Winning Saga in the Global Welding Supplies 3yo Mdn (1000m) and Rothman in the Foamed Bottle Co. Class 6 1200m).

Bowen trainer Andrew Cameron who went so close in the Lightning with El Shaday landed a winner earlier on the program with Boom Gate in the Hygain B55 Hcp (1609m).

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.