Royal Atom gets set for Cairns Amateurs
SUNSHINE Coast trainer Darryl Hansen says the Cairns Amateurs Cup is on the agenda for Royal Atom after his impressive win in Saturday’s Townsville Amateurs Cup (2000m) at Cluden Park.
Jockey Les Tilley settled the five-year-old back in the field, but the $14 hope unleashed a burst down the straight to win by two-and-a-half lengths from Fastnet Flyer ($13) and Crimson Halo ($4.40).
Home track favourite Lady Skills ($2.40) managed fourth.
Royal Atom had finished out of the placings in his previous three starts, but Hansen said Tilley gave him every chance to find form.
“We were going to try and ride him a bit closer yesterday, but Les gave him a beautiful ride,” Hansen said.
“He was further back than we wanted to be, but Les had a plan.”
He finished a strong sixth in the Cairns Cup, despite being wide for the trip.
“He’s a young stayer in the making, that’s why he came on this trip,” Hansen said.
“At Cairns he got his chance and raced well, and the Cairns Amateurs Cup (on September 8) is the main aim.
“The horse has got a lot of ability, but he’s got a screw loose and has always been an immature horse.
“The trip’s done him the world of good.”
Townsville trainer Michael Geaney and jockey Chelsea Jokic combined to take out the three-year-old maiden handicap (1200m) with $4 favourite Goldie Girl.
Cannon Park trainer Stephen Massingham grabbed an early double while Atherton’s John Kilroy and Cairns trainer Scott Cooper also recorded wins.
Starting at $21, the Cooper trained Party Pies sat fifth for most of the 1400m trip before Cairns hoop Sonja Wiseman shot the seven-year-old through the inside and overtook Allez Troienne over the final stages.
The win was Party Pies’ third of the year after also greeting the judges first at Atherton and Gordonvale.
“He has been going well this preparation,” Cooper said.
“He is an honest little character.
“It was a step up in class for him but if he got a clear run last start against Best Hoffa, he probably could have won then too.”