Moment of truth for trio

A NUMBER of trainers and sets of ownership groups land at Innisfail Turf Club this afternoon full of optimism with two-year-old first-starters set to debut.

Aceem, trained by Wayne Brady, Here’s To It, from the Cannon Park stable of Trevor Rowe and Ray Moller’s Roth’N’Bell will all step out for the first time in the $7000 QTIS Two-Years-Old Maiden Handicap (1000m), the first race of the afternoon.

Previously trained by Kelly Schweida at Eagle Farm in Brisbane, Aceem is now based on track at Pease Park and Brady is hopeful the newcomer might show something with Chelsea Jokic in the saddle.

“He is still learning and has a lot to learn,” Brady said.

“He seems to go all right on the track but I have only had him for a week or so after coming up from Brisbane.

“It is a different ball game when it comes to an actual race start.

“Hopefully we can get him down to Townsville at some stage but we will see how we go.”

Gordonvale trainer Moller is looking forward to seeing how his bay gelding, by Rothesay from Bella Sirena, handles race conditions.

“The owners live in Gordonvale. They own and bred the mare and brought the horse up to race,” Moller said.

“Rothesay is a reputable stallion and Bella Sirena produced a winner the other day in Cairns, who is a half-brother for this fella.

“He has shown enough promise in trackwork that he will go OK in a race and hopefully it is Saturday.

“We might head to Townsville for the Parry Nissan if all goes well.”

Five non-TAB races will be run at Innisfail today.

Meanwhile, this afternoon marks the first heat of the Outback Racing Showcase, to be held as part of Julia Creek’s annual Dirt and Dust Festival.

The Outback Racing Showcase is one of four series that Racing Queensland has established as part of the Country Racing Series.

The winner of this week’s opening heat at Julia Creek is exempt from ballot for the $30,000 final, which will be at the Richmond Turf Club on June 16.

Other Outback Racing Showcase heats will be held at North Gregory, Barcaldine, Gregory Downs and Mount Isa.