Centre Red hot in north

JORDAN GERRANS THE Ryan stable from Tolga is known for bringing tried horses from down south to the Far North and giving them a new lease on life.

Horses such as Polar Blast, Hunter Caulfield and Tecza have all shown promising form in the southern states before making their impact on racing in the north.

However, last-start winner Centre Red bucks that trend, with the five-year-old being in the hands of Ronnie (pictured) and Janel Ryan since day dot of his career.

All 13 of the gelding’s trips to the races have been throughout north Queensland, under the guidance of the Ryans, finishing in the placings nine times.

“We bought him unbroken and things like that as a young horse,” stable representative Ronnie said.

“We did not pay a lot of money for him.”

With Brad Pengelly on board last month, after getting a nice sit in running, Centre Red shot up the inside of the Cannon Park track to win by 1.5 lengths over 1250m.

He returns this afternoon over the same distance, with Stephen Wilson the pilot, as Centre Red aims to collect a win in the $14,500 Billy Cook Memorial Class 3 Plate (1250m).

Centre Red will go around over 1250m today, then likely head to a mile race at Towns- ville early next month before going for a well-earned holiday.

“I think he will get over a mile, he has had a long year and done his job,” Ronnie said.

“I just hope he has not gone over the top this prep but he feels good within himself and (should) race well at Cairns.

“I reckon next year will be his year if he is to get through to Open company.

“He is bred to be a stayer on the dam’s side.”

The Ryans will join Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe next month in Brisbane for the final of the Country Cups Challenge at Doomben.

How Can I Help qualifies for the $75,000 1600m final after running second in the Innisfail Cup to Arms Race in late October.

Four-year-old gelding Arms Race will also start in the final, ridden by former stable hoop Sonja Wiseman, while fellow Rowe horse Collywobble is the first emergency.

Prolific Mackay trainer John Manzelmann will send two horses for the Challenge final.