She just needed a little Time off

GORDONVALE trainer Ralph Baker will never say never.

Baker-trained Nic’s Time broke her maiden status in the first event at the Atherton Turf Club yesterday afternoon, the Maiden Plate over 1000m.

The five-year-old was promising in her first two starts, running second at Townsville and Innisfail in May before a poor showing at Cairns in June.

Baker gave the bay mare 11 weeks to freshen up and she returned in stylish fashion yesterday, finishing just under a length ahead of Canon King, trained by Alex Malliff.

“It was a good win,” Baker said. “She is a good sort of a horse – well bred.

“I have had her in work for a while because she has had her issues but we have steadily sorted them out and we will go from here.”

With the Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival on the horizon, Baker may look to send Nic’s Time, by Time Thief from Michelle Cafea, to Cannon Park.

“I do not think I will back her up but I will never say never,” Baker said.

“We will see how she pulls up now and she is only a shortcourse horse at the moment.

“Maybe not or maybe we will send her to the Amateurs.

“We will have to sit down and have a beer and think about it.

“We will have a look at things, see how we want to go and have a word with the owners.”

Local trainer Janel Ryan took out the second race of the day with Five Stars, ridden by Graham Kliese, before Kliese bagged a double with Aeso for Glenn Porter, claiming the third event.

Atherton Turf Club held its Carinya Charity Races at Morrow Park yesterday.

Seven races will be contested at Cannon Park this Friday, with the $30,000 Open Handicap the feature event before the Cairns Amateurs Cup the following day.