Win lift for Rowe after sad colic loss

AN emotional week for the Trevor Rowe stable has ended on a high with Rathdowney Avenue breaking his maiden status at Townsville on Saturday afternoon.

The Cannon Park stable lost one of their favourites earlier this week, gelding Standford, to colic.

Standford was nicknamed Dennis down at the Cairns Jockey Club stables, after Dennis the Menace for his cheeky attitude.

“It was like losing a part of the family, we have had him since he was a yearling,” Rowe (pictured) said. “He got crook on Monday and unfortunately we lost him late in the afternoon after the vets looked at him.

“He was a special horse in the stable; he had a personality of his own. It was a long day on Monday that is for sure.” Standford had an excellent record on his home track, winning six times at Cairns, as well as running a place on 12 different occasions from 32 starts.

Standford, alongside stablemate Arms Race, was set to travel to Brisbane soon for the Country Cups Challenge final after Stephen Potiris’ Bold Kingston and Vaunting, trained by Samantha Molino, were both ruled ineligible by Racing Queensland.

Rathdowney Avenue broke through for his first win in start number 17 on Saturday in the first of five races at Cluden Park. Later in the day, Tracy Simmons claimed the Ingham Gold Cup with Belorum.