Aesop getting into his stride

IT MIGHT be a long shot but Cairns trainer Glenn Porter has ambitions to start Aesop in next Saturday’s Cairns Amateurs Cup, needing a victory over 2000m this afternoon at Cluden Park to boost his chances.

Aesop flashed home to run second in his first attempt at the 1900m journey earlier this month, put in a solid effort in the Produce Cup a fortnight ago at Innisfail and now looks towards the $8000 Benchmark 60 Handicap (2000m) today in the last of five at Townsville.

Porter says the seven-yearold has gone from strength to strength after running second to Binary on the first day of the Cairns Cup carnival recently.

“His rating of 46 is still a bit low so he will need to win at Townsville this Saturday to get in the Amateurs Cup,” Porter said.

“I thought he ran a pretty good race at Innisfail last start and all is going good.

“I think he will struggle to get into the Cup but if he wins, he is a chance to sneak in.”

Townsville Cup winning jockey Chelsea Jokic is back on board the gelding today after she piloted him at Cannon Park two starts back.

Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe sends Arms Race and Platinum Pulse to the Benchmark 60 Handicap while Mareeba’s Alex Malliff will be keen to see Ramsden Street bounce back to form in the race.

This afternoon’s Townsville non-Tab meeting is shifted from Ingham after necessary renovation work to the Herbert River Jockey Club racetrack.

Club president David Adcock said it was too early to gauge community reaction to the news.

Meanwhile, the Stephen Potiris-trained Shunter won at Mackay yesterday afternoon.