CANCELLED FNQ CUP REACTION

TRIPLE TREAT

Cannon Park trainer Trevor Rowe makes the long trip to Mackay today with three chances. As Racing Queensland’s zone restrictions have been eased over the last week, the Cairns Cup winning trainer takes Sunny Cowboy, Chloe Jade and Groovy Playmate south, all to be ridden by Tablelands hoop Stephen Wilson. There are 10 big races on the program this afternoon and all Rowe’s runners look to be in with a chance. Tablelands jockey Wanderson D’Avila also will look to capitalise on the eased restrictions and takes a healthy book of rides at Mackay today.

BAR SET HIGH

Former Ross Fransentrained gelding Set The Bar High has run a few nice races in Brisbane after transferring to Gary Duncan. Set The Bar High was with the Cairns-based Fransen for much of 2019, having nine starts and going close to winning on a couple of occasions.

HELP FOR SHRED

A GoFundMe page created to help sidelined Tablelands jockey Rachel Shred, who is facing a year away from race riding, has already gone past its $2000 target. Created by local bookmaker and horse owner Chris Jorgensen, the page went past its target just days after being made. Shred suffered a torn ACL, fractured tibia and other injuries to her knee, toe and collarbone in her fall last Thursday at Townsville’s Cluden Park. Shred was a regular rider for Jorgensen. The fund will be open for her 12 months of recovery.

EYES ON TYZONE

The president of the Cairns Jockey Club received a shout out from media doyen Bruce McAvaney during the Seven Network’s coverage of the races on Saturday. After Tyzone ran an eye-catching race, McAvaney declared the gelding as one to follow in the Stradbroke Handicap next month. “Tyzone … he offcourse has the owner that has all those horses and pubs,” McAvaney said.

NEW RIDES ROLL IN

The horse population is strong in FNQ with two local trainers bringing new chances to the Thursday races. Gordonvale’s Ralph Baker and Cairns trainer Mark Dale both bring new horses from down south.