BARRIER LOOMS AS MAIN QUERY FOR EXECUTED

TRACK specialist Executed is following a proven formula in his bid to land a second $ 100,000 Lazy Yak Cleveland Bay Handicap ( 1300m) in one of the strongest editions in years.

The flying six- year- old is coming off a close fifth behind Havasay in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton, the same final lead- up going into his 2016 Cleveland Bay win with 60kg.

Trainer Krystle Johnston ( pictured) said the biggest challenge for Executed, a winner of six of his seven starts in Townsville, would be the 12 barrier.

“His run in the Ramornie was awesome and he’s going really well,” Johnston said.

“He’s a special horse and as tough as they come. These days he’s more matured and I think he’s looking for a bit more ground.

“It’s a high quality field, but if he gets a nice run with a sit, he’ll run a very good race.”

Before the Ramornie, Executed ran a strong second to Cleveland Bay favourite Peacock in the Rockhampton Newmarket, but gets a 2kg weight turnaround tomorrow.

Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch remains confident with Rhyme Nor Rhythm despite the extreme outside barrier draw. Hatch said the Cleveland Bay had been a long- range plan for Rhyme Nor Rhythm, an 1100m track record holder at Toowoomba.

“He’s got a lot of class and I’ve looked after him. We’ll need luck from the outside barrier but he’s a dynamite horse off a hot pace and it looks like it will be a fast run race,” he said.

Of the northerners, Atherton trainer Roy Chillemi is expecting strong runs from his pair, three- year- old Grey Missile and Pinyarda, after a rousing track gallop this week.

“With Grey Missile it’s a question of whether he’s mature enough. There was nothing between him and Pinyarda in their work this week, and they’re both capable of running a big race with some luck,” Chillemi said.

Grey Missile drops to the limit on 54kg after his win in the weight- for- age open in Townsville on July 10.