Cornfield frolicking proves Tambo’s tonic
RIDING through the corn paddocks of the Tablelands has given veteran sprinter Tambo’s Heart a second lease on life leading up to Friday’s Cleveland Bay Handicap.
The nine-year-old was going “ordinary” in his last handful of efforts for Lyle Wright down Rockhampton and Mackay way but the Janel Ryan team at Tolga think they have turned him around.
The gelding collected career win 14, at start 73, on Tuesday at Townsville, a key lead-in race towards Friday’s $65,000 feature over 1300m.
The Ryans will also have the ever-consistent Space Time in the time-honoured Cleveland Bay.
The eight-year-old gelding was desperately unlucky at Mackay the week before and should be cherry ripe for his return to Cluden.
Stable representative Ronnie Ryan says Wanderson D’Avila’s help in the morning and rides through the corn paddocks to mix his work up have refreshed Tambo’s Heart.
“I am not sure if he is up to a Cleveland Bay, but he is an honest horse and goes good at
Townsville,” Ryan said. “I am happy with him.
“He was going ordinary before coming up here but we have changed a few things and got him going well.”
Tambo’s Heart led to win at Cairns in June, in the infamous race that saw leading hoop Chris Whiteley rubbed out for two months, but has also shown he can take a sit, finishing strongly on Tuesday at Townsville.
Running 10th does not sound very exciting in the race book but old Ryan faithful Space Time should be ready for Friday, as well.
The Cluden specialist just could not get a run at Mackay in their Newmarket last month despite flying at stages in the straight.
“I was really happy with his run the other day and he is a two or three-length better horse at Townsville than anywhere,” Ryan said. “If he got a decent run, he wins, and Wanderson said the same thing.
“They went crazy out in front and if he can draw a gate in the Cleveland Bay, he is going to be hard to beat.”