SURPRIZE WIN IN BIG RACE
UNTIL Cairns jockey John Lambie got home on Saturday night, sat down and had a quiet scotch, he did not yet realise what he had achieved.
The 26-year-old had finally accomplished something he had been working towards since he landed in the Far North - a prestigious Cup race.
Lambie did so in Saturday afternoon’s $15,000 Atherton Cup Open Handicap as the Trevor Rowe-trained Stable Surprize scored by half a length from How Can I Help, prepared by Janel Ryan.
The seven-year-old chest- nut gelding had been knocking on the door, running second twice recently over 1400m, and enjoyed the extra 400m on Atherton Annuals day.
“It did not sink in until I was by myself on Saturday night having a scotch,” Lambie said.
“It is my first Cup win in North Queensland and might be my biggest win in terms of prize money.
“It is a Cup race and that is what you always want to win as a jockey.
“I have run second in so many since I have been up here so it was great to finally win one.”
The Rowe trained horse showed his quality over the Cairns Cup carnival finishing second to Craiglea Deken in the Cairns Newmarket Open Handicap (1400m).
Stable Surprize does not usually like to lead but got a soft lead from barrier six on Saturday and Lambie did the rest.
“Everything worked out for me,” Lambie said.
“He usually comes from behind but I led from the 800m mark and it was all over from there. I had cheap sectionals and then put it to them.
“He is a tough horse, I am stoked for him.”
Earlier in the day at Morrow Park, the honours were shared as four different trainers and jockeys grabbed the first four races on the program.
Love Red, for Cairns trainer Fred Wieland and jockey Graham Kliese, claimed the QTIS Maiden Plate in the first of the afternoon.
At the Ewan Amateur Turf Club, the Ben Williamstrained Ultra Red won the $15,000 Ewan Cup Class 6 Handicap (1600m) from Coronation Journey, trained by Alby Molino.
Meanwhile, racing resumes at Cluden Park this Thursday following works to scarify, mow and hollow tine the surface to remove organic matter.
Townsville Turf Club chairman Malcolm Petrofski said the initial reports from jockeys had been positive about the state of the track.
“The riders have reported that the track was solid under foot, which allowed their mounts to find their pace with minimal toe-in,” Petrofski said.
“There was some sand kickback due to the quantity of sand used in the remediation works but that sand will settle.
“The track renovation to date has been very successful. I’d like to thank Racing Queensland, the local track staff, and the people who have volunteered their time to assist in the remediation of the track for their tremendous effort and I look forward to the races on Thursday.”