Greycliffe on Cup quest

IT was an ambitious plan that never really worked out.

But, in a roundabout sort of way, stayer Greycliffe has finally made his way to Far North Queensland – just a year or so later than first hoped.

In early 2019, News Corp reported that a crew of northern Australian horse racing enthusiasts were plotting an audacious three-city Cup raid that year, with the former Matt Cumani-trained Greycliffe.

Those Far North horse lovers – Cameron, Gary and Ann Riches, and local builder Bill Anderson – aimed for the bay to tackle Cups in Darwin, Townsville and Cairns. Since then, the five-year-old gelding has not won a race, but has been to the Northern Territory, to South Australia and now back to Mareeba. “He has got more frequent flyers than me, this horse,” Anderson said.

The promising stayer, who gets his first crack at life in Cairns today in the Class 6 Handicap (1500m) at Cannon Park, is now trained by in-form Alex Malliff. If all things go to plan over the next few months, the Cairns Cup will be the aim, but if he does not live up to expectations, the country Cups series may have to be his go.

“His grand final was going to be carnival time, but the carnival will be later in the year now, which will suit him,” Anderson said.

“He will get the miles in his legs and then look to compete against old Tom Hedley and his horses, as he has got a few good ones going around.”

Anderson is not expecting much today first-up, but is looking for the well-travelled, New Zealand-bred horse to build into his preparation.

“We will see if he has enough miles in his legs for his first-up run here,” he said. “The 1500m is a big test firstup, but he is a distance horse.”

HIS GRAND FINAL WAS GOING TO BE CARNIVAL TIME, BUT THE CARNIVAL WILL BE LATER IN THE YEAR NOW, WHICH WILL SUIT HIM.