Joe believes Love will find a way
OWNER Joe D’Addona can see many similarities between the 2018 and 2020 cup campaigns of his stayer We Just Love It.
The Janel Ryan-trained gelding has just one win to his name since the Cairns Cup day of two years ago and there have been some runs to forget in the bunch, as well.
But the Ryan team is hopeful and optimistic the experienced stayer is on the right path ahead of Friday’s $85,000 big race.
We Just Love It’s form in the racebook is not that sexy: it reads sixth, eighth, seventh, and eighth again at his past handful.
But the fourth placing last month at Cairns has connections and the trainer optimistic.
The seven-year-old copped a heavy bump in the opening stages of the 1900m event but settled eventually and hit the line hard just 2½ lengths behind the winner.
Ryan opted to dodge the Townsville Cup, instead looking to keep We Just Love It fresh for the FNQ Cup, just as she did in 2018.
“It is the same thing as a couple of years ago, do not start the horse for four weeks ahead of the cup,” D’Addona said.
“It has taken a little while for the horse to put it all together again and we know he can run the distance and will carry no weight — they are the big positives for him.
“Hopefully he is now peaking at the right time as it is not as strong a field as what we have seen over the last few years.”
D’Addona, a Mossman cane farmer, will also have stablemate Tutelage racing on Friday, in the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1900m).
Townsville hoop Graham Kliese rode We Just Love It last start but will be unable to make the 54kg weight.
Brisbane apprentice Corey Bayliss has been booked instead. Hall of Fame hoop Robert Thompson usually rides Ryan’s horses at this time of year but will not make his annual trip from NSW due to the restrictions around travel and quarantine.
“He rides good for a young fella,” stable representative Ronnie Ryan said of the choice to use Bayliss.
“The horse is good, I am happy with him, which is the main thing.
“It is going to be a hard race, but at least I know our bloke can run the 2100m.”