Trainers chasing big prize

HORSE racing in the Far North is riding a wave of momentum not seen in years that should continue to increase prizemoney for participants into the future.

That is the view of Cairns Jockey Club president and leviathan owner Tom Hedley, who owns almost half the field in this afternoon’s $150,000 2019 Cairns Cup.

When Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe won the 2016 Cup, $75,000 was the prize, with the 2019 winner to pocket double that, now worth $150,000.

Issues with a wet and nondraining track at Cannon Park are now gone with the number of TAB race days hosted at Cairns Jockey Club the last season improved again on the previous few. With the standard of visiting trainers, jockeys and horses increasing over the last two years through the extra prizemoney through the carnival, the local club president believes Cairns racing is returning to its glory days.

“It is pretty rewarding, the prizemoney, and it will only get stronger if we keep the momentum up with this prizemoney,” Hedley said. “It is good money. It is a big positive for the industry.

“Trainers are travelling more now because of the prize money, people from Rockhampton, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.”

Townsville Cup winner The Harrovian is one of six horses which will carry leading North Queensland owner Hedley’s colours in the Cup.

The horses, who are raced by Hedley in various combinations with other owners, are The Harrovian and Vassal (trained by Stephen Massingham), Follow Suit and Estikhraaj (Lauren Abbott), Harden (Michael Geaney) and Crimson Halo (Roy Chillemi).

A two-time winner of the Cairns Cup, the club president has a handful of live chances this afternoon to make it three.

The Harrovian, a winner of five races from seven North Queensland starts after moving from Victoria, has been installed as favourite today.