McGuire Looks to Fly Higher with Rejuvenated Rothman

Rising young trainer Matt McGuire is banking on a home track advantage to give consistent sprinter Rothman a winning edge at Cluden Park tomorrow.

McGuire opted to run Rothman in tomorrow’s Hygain Class 6 Plate (1200m) rather than a road trip to Cairns for this weekend’s Amateurs.

The six-year-old son of Rothesay gave McGuire his biggest thrill yet with a powerful win over the Townsville Cup carnival before a close second at the Cairns Cup meeting.

With regular jockey Wanderson D’Avila in the saddle, he faces another test tomorrow against a strong line-up which includes smart Rockhampton galloper Bustedup and classy mare Willygood.

“He’s definitely turned the corner for us this prep. All of his runs have been really impressive and I think he’s got a great chance again tomorrow,” McGuire said.

“Bustedup is obviously very good but he’s got to make the road trip up, whereas we’re at home.

“If Rothman is going to measure up to open company he’s going to have to run against those types of good horses anyway. It’ll give us a good idea of how he’s going.

“We’ve been having a good run over the past few months and having wins at the carnivals with Rothman here and Collombatti in Cairns was very exciting. Hopefully we can keep going.”

McGuire has held a general trainer’s licence for just over a year and is building an impressive profile with a small string of horses.

Already this year he has trained eight TAB winners from 48 starters and expects to make room for a team of around 10 horses with more owners coming on board.

McGuire has another busy weekend ahead with the stable’s good sprinter Chevaux engaged at the Cairns Amateurs on Friday.

Meanwhile, Rockhampton trainer Graeme Green will be chasing further Townsville success when he runs brilliant youngster Ahooshu in the QTIS 3YO Hcp (1000m).

Green had a huge carnival in Townsville, winning the $100,000 Cleveland Bay with Master Jamie and the $50,000 Belle of the Burdekin with Taraki.

Ahooshu was runner-up in the $500,000 The Jewel at the Gold Coast in March and comes into tomorrow’s race with wins at his past two starts in Mackay and Rockhampton.

Pictured: Rothman will be out to repeat his big win at the Townsville Cup carnival when he lines up at Cluden in the Hygain Class 6 Plate (1200m).

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.