Hunter counts on rose
ATHERTON trainer Bruce Hunter knows it will be a tough ask to topple the in-form Concluder but is confident Rose Of Clare will be around the mark when the whips are cracking at Mount Garnet today.
The first from Mt Garnet Amateur Turf Club jumps at 1.15pm today, which will kick off two massive days of racing at the track.
Five races will be contested today, with the Pat and Clare Williams Memorial Bracelet Open Handicap the feature, ahead of the Mt Garnet-Cashmere Cup Open Handicap tomorrow afternoon.
Concluder, trained by champion trainer Roy Chillemi, ran second to last year’s Cleveland Bay winner Executed by a nose last week in Townsville and headlines the field in the Bracelet Open Handicap over 100m.
Rose Of Clare, although not given much hope by the bookmakers at the quote of $10, will be in the finish, according to Hunter.
“She is going good, she always goes good,” Hunter said. “It will be a tough race but she will be there, do not worry about that.
“Concluder of Chillemi’s will be favourite, no doubt about that, but there are three horses in that race that will test him.
“Rapt In Rumba for Rick Nelson will test Concluder, as will mine I think.
“There is some good racing at Mount Garnet this weekend.”
Rose Of Clare, Rapt in Rumba and Minnie Street will again do battle after just a length split them at Innisfail earlier this month.
Comeback jockey John Lambie, who rides all Hunter’s work, takes the ride on the bay mare this afternoon.
Bon Temps from the Hunter stable also heads to Mount Garnet for the Pat Williams Memorial Benchmark 60 Handicap.
“I think he will go OK and I am hoping he goes really good,” Hunter said.
“He got beaten only just last start at Einasleigh.
“It is a touch shorter than Einasleigh but that should suit him after a quick freshen-up.”
The Mt Garnet-Cashmere Cup is a strong field tomorrow with Try Me Dol for Stephen Potiris, Janel Ryan’s Assertive Love and Bloukrans for Samantha Molino to be in the finish.
Earlier this week, Far North hoops Ngarie Nelson and Emily Cass rode winners at Home Hill on Anzac Day with Cass bagging a double. FAR North footballers Bryce Parker-Smith, Danielle Reed and Riley Edwards start their bid to take on Brazilian legend Neymar tonight.
The road to Neymar’s Five World Final in Brazil commences at Cairns Indoor Sports this evening, giving amateur football players in Australia the chance to become a street football world champion in the Barcelona star’s hometown.
Events are popping up across seven states and territories of Australia with the Far North event kicking off from 6pm with Parker-Smith, Reed and Edwards representing the Redlynch Razorbacks Football Club.
There will be 38 qualifying events and more than 3500 participants nationally, with the best soccer talent from regional and city locations competing.
It will all come to a head at the national final in Melbourne on June 10 to decide the national champions who will join 53 countries competing for the global title in Brazil and the ultimate prize of travelling to Barcelona to meet Neymar himself.
David Zdrilic, former Sydney FC player and current football coach who played a key role in last year’s event, encouraged all Far North football fans to get out and watch tonight.
“Neymar Jr’s Five is an exciting concept and it was pleasure being involved in last year’s launch,” he said. “The game format is fast and furious, which makes it exciting to watch and play.
“It was great to see the large number of teams who participated last year and this year will be even bigger.
“I’m looking forward to seeing many more quality matches this year.” neymar jr's five-a-side football tournament is on today at cairns indoor sports, 164 Mayes st, Manunda at 6pm.