More than lip service for Kisser from Rowe
JORDAN GERRANS
The Rowe stable sends four horses to Einasleigh today, 365.8km from Cannon Park, where five races will be contested.
The $14,000 Genex Power Einasleigh Cup Open Handicap is the feature event with seven nominated for the 1620m journey.
The five-year-old Kisser has run over the shorter trips this preparation but Rowe believes the 1620m should suit today.
“It is a very good field but there is a lot of big weights,” Rowe said.
“Kisser is proven on a bush track, he has won the two races at Oak Park so that is why we are taking him out there.
“Indications show he is looking for a bit more distance so we will step him up in the Cup. He is no slouch, he has won the five races so we will step him up to 1600m.”
With regular Rowe stable rider Emily Cass unavailable, Nor Yadi takes the ride of Kisser.
Major Major, from the Roy Chillemi stable, will be hard to beat if it runs to its potential, but will lump the top-weight of 60.5kg.
The 2016 edition of the Einasleigh Cup was claimed by Press Play, trained by Chillemi and ridden by Wanderson D’Avila, by three lengths.
Meanwhile, just weeks after the Rowe stable lost 2016 Cairns Cup winner Chateau Dettori, they also lost threeyear-old Gracious Furi to a heart attack earlier this week.
Gracious Furi, who broke its maiden status at Innisfail late last year, died during a regulation track gallop.
The second race of the Magic Millions Up and Coming Stayers Series for 2017 will also be run at Einasleigh today.
Tolga horse Grey Missile, trained by Chillemi and ridden by Stephen Wilson, claimed the $20,000 Racing Queensland QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap at Mackay on Thursday.