Potiris stays confident

Series champ eyes repeat with Mingalarba

THE reigning champion of the Up and Coming Stayers Series is confident he has the stable to claim this year’s edition.

The popular Magic Millions Up and Coming Stayers Series starts at Atherton today with a 1400m event.

Last year’s stayers series was claimed by Innisfail trainer Stephen Potiris, who scooped both the trainers and horse standings, and he brings last-start winner Mingalarba to the first of eight races. Potiris had also nominated Short Term, who has run in the top three in its last three starts, but it was scratched with the trainer not wanting to back the horse up from last Saturday at Cannon Park.

Townsville hoop Graham Kliese takes the ride on Mingalarba.

“It won last start in a weaker grade, a maiden, it will be a tougher assignment this Satur- day and is looking for 1400m,” Potiris said.

“It is a nice story this horse, the connections of Mingalarba had a few troubles with a horse called Bishops Castle who got sick and passed away a while back.

“It was great to see the horse win for the owners at Mareeba as they have spent a bit of money on the two horses and have something back for it now.

“I am confident he will go well at Atherton.”

The series will run as it did in 2016, with horses claiming 3-2-1 points, per race for horse and trainer.

The opening event of the series looks a strong field with Cashed Up Bully for Rick Nelson, Lisa Donovan’s Humpty Bumpty and Cut ’N’ Polish from the Ross Fransen stable having claims.

“It is a good series, it is a challenging one too,” Potiris said. “You need to have the right horse at the right time in the right spot.

“I have a few that will go around in the series in the coming weeks.

“It is good prizemoney, so hopefully they can keep it going for a few more years.”

There will be four races contested at Atherton today.

Far North trainers Scott Cooper, piloted by Stephen Wil-