Teeroys set for next fresh test
Toowoomba gelding out to build on home record
RACING: Lighty raced Toowoomba five-year-old Teeroys Tribute will be out to keep his smart home-track record intact when he resumes racing at Clifford Park tomorrow.
Teeroys Tribute returns from an eight-month break for trainer Eric Ropiha in the Toowoomba Outdoor Power Products Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m).
The Sequalo gelding hasn’t raced since finishing a close-up fourth behind Apoloboom in a Clifford Park Class 3 Plate in April.
Previously he completed a hat-trick of home wins between December and March and with two first-up victories from four goes next to his name punters are sure to warm to his return.
Teeroys Tribute has been handled patiently by Ropiha and has rewarded the stable with three wins and three placings from only nine race starts.
“He was injured as young
horse and we’ve taken our time with him,” Ropiha said yesterday.
“He was a bit of a handful early on but Graham Banks did a great job educating him for us and being a family owned horse we’ve been able to space his racing which he seems to appreciate.
“He’s one of those horses that races well fresh and that’s why we’re not too worried going into Saturday’s race without a trial.
“This looks a suitable race for him and the one alley is a nice bonus.
“His work has been good and I can’t find any reason
why he won’t race well first-up again.”
Teeroy’s Tribute will be ridden by Kenji Yoshida who has partnered him in each of his three victories.
Tomorrow’s seven-race card also features the return to racing of High Chaparral three-year-old Bella Occhi.
Bella Occhi comes off a
five-month break for trainer Ben Currie in the Pro-Clear Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap (870m).
It’s the filly’s first outing since scoring on debut at Clifford Park in July when a heavily supported favourite.
Texas Cup day
TOOWOOMBA trainer Lindsay Hatch will be on the country feature-race trail tomorrow when Agapantha lines up for the stable in the Jeff Hannaford Texas Cup over 1200 metres.
The $12,000 cup highlights Texas Jockey Club’s annual race day.
First race on the five-event program jumps at 1pm.