Rowe’s juveniles have heavy load on debut
JORDAN GERRANS
While Rowe has not declared the pair good things at Atherton Turf Club, he gives the duo a chance to be among the finish on debut.
“They are doing everything right, they are both locally bred horses,” Rowe said.
“They are going OK, I expect them both to run a good race but as first starters they can always do something wrong.
“They are working OK, I am quite happy with them.
“I will be happy if they get around and they are competitive.
“They have both trialled OK but race day is all new to them with the conditions.”
Rowe was left frustrated at the 59kg the pair of babies will need to lump over their first start.
“There has to be a new system, I think it is too harsh on first starters,” Rowe said.
“I think it would be more practical to put them in the middle of the road, like 56kg or something.
“That is something that Australian racing needs to look at it.”
Later in the day, Fastcar, from the Roy Chillemi stable, returns after a 10-week freshen up following two smart wins at Cluden Park in February.
Meanwhile, Stephen Massingham’s Maurizio bounced back to form at Townsville on Thursday over 1200m.
The consistent seven-yearold ran into an outstanding field last start at the track but enjoyed the extra 200m on Thursday with gun hoop Emily Cass in the saddle.
Gunga Galunga, trained by Innisfail’s Stephen Potiris, also was in the winners’ circle, almost half a length too strong in the Maiden Handicap over 1300m.
Gunga Galunga won the opening race of the card, with veteran jockey David Simmons steering the four-yearold home to a great win.
The nicely named Thurston proved too strong in the Class 2 Plate over 1609m at Townsville’s Cluden Park, beating Dazzling Pride by half a length.
Jockey Quayde Krogh positioned Thurston back in the six-horse field before winning the race with a well-timed midrace move as the pace slowed.