Maquereau primed for a huge run in Cup

THREE close second-placed finishes in major Far North races has Maquereau primed for a giant run in the Innisfail Cup.

The gelding ran second in both the Cairns Cup and Cairns Amateurs Cup at Cannon Park and the Ray Fuller Memorial Open Handicap at Townsville, but the manner of the performances has trainer Sharlee Hoffman confident Maquereau will be able to produce his first win since July 29.

“It is a weaker field this time but he won it comfortably last year,” Hoffman said.

“To be second in the Cup and the Amateurs shows just how good he is. You need a bit of luck to win those races and we just couldn’t get any.

“That run at Townsville, he was brought back to 1300m for a good hitout ahead of this race. Going from 2000m to 1300m … to come back like that, not a lot of horses can do that.”

Hoffman has booked Lacey Morrison for the ride and hopes their strong partnership will lead to silverware.

“He responds so well to female jockeys, so it was easy to get Lacey on board,” she said.

Townsville trainer Alby Molino will also take a shot at the Innisfail Cup with battling duo Best Hoffa (63kg) and Guangzhou (55kg).

A Mackay Cup winner last year, Best Hoffa has been given no concessions in the bush feature, handed the topweight impost and a wide draw from barrier 13.

Guangzhou could be a much more likely chance for the trainer, despite drawing an awkward barrier 10.

Experienced Far North Queensland jockey Shane Pawsey will take the reins in a race, which Molino has been targeting for a while now.

“He has been in work from this campaign since April,” Molino said. “He is one of those horses that takes a while to get him fit. If I can give him a run every couple of weeks he will just stay fit.”