Warrior in the making
ATHERTON mare and Townsville newcomer Real Warrior could put in a performance worthy of her name at today’s Ladies Day The Coffee Club Bracelet Fillies & Mares Class 6 Handicap (1300m).
The five-year-old will pair with well-known Townsville jockey Peter Cullen for today’s feature, a combination which has yielded two victories and a pair of runner-up placings from four Cluden meets since returning from a five-month spell in February.
Her Tolga-based trainer, Janel Ryan, has full faith in Real Warrior to again deliver at Townsville Turf Club, believing the timing for a successful ride “is just right”.
“She’s got good form, and she runs an honest race,” Ryan said. “We’ve been settling in for this one and I think it’s been just about perfect.
“We brought her up here from New South Wales and gave her a spell, and we didn’t want to go too early.”
Starting 2017 with a win in February’s XXXX Gold BenchMark Handicap (1000m) by almost two lengths, Real Warrior was runner-up a month later in her next Cluden start and in April took out the Townsville Turf Club Class 3 Plate (1200m) by three and a half lengths.
She finished her preparation with a close runner-up at last month’s Mater Health Services Class 3 Plate (1000m)
Spelled after placing 5th over 1200m at Newcastle in October, Real Warrior’s surge of Townsville form has contributed to a record of three wins, three seconds and three thirds – all in good conditions – to pocket just over $60,000 in prizemoney.
Drawing barrier 11 in a 15strong field, Ryan could be forgiven for believing she got a good omen after Real Warrior won her last race from 11.
“We’re confident in her, and Peter (Cullen) is very thrilled with how she’s progressing,” Ryan said. “We just want to keep chasing the big prize money, and I think we’ve done just about all we can to give her the best chance.”
Mackay’s Vo Treasure, for Mark Dale, has drawn barrier 14 and could be in with a show after placing second at last year’s Ladies Day Pat Molloy Jewellers BenchMark 65 Handicap (1000m).
Three-year-old filly Starante (James McConachy) could be one to watch after winning over 1200m in Rockhampton last week, drawn in barrier 10.
Today’s seven-race program is scheduled to begin at 12.13pm with the Race 1 Jim Roberts Locksmiths Maiden Handicap (1400m).
Gates at Townsville Turf Club open at 11am.