Surprise packet right on money

I WAS HOPING SHE WOULD RUN A GOOD RACE BUT SHE RAN BETTER THAN THAT ROY CHILLEMI

BANK Teller will head directly to the rich Townsville RSL Two-Year-Old Classic at Cluden Park next month after a striking debut at Cannon Park on Thursday.

The Roy Chillemi-trained youngster had not been to the races before Thursday and was bumped by another runner on jumping but performed like a veteran from then on, putting away the QTIS Two-Years-Old & Three-Years-Old Maiden field in drizzly conditions.

Both the master trainer from Tolga and stable hoop Stephen Wilson were somewhat surprised with how well the filly performed but are now optimistic as they look towards the $100,000 prize on June 9.

Bank Teller backed up her pre-race $2.50 favouritism, scoring by 1.5 lengths, eased up by Wilson.

“I was hoping she would run a good race but she ran better than that,” Chillemi said.

“It was a surprise packet and they can do that, twoyear-olds, from barrier trials to race day by six or seven lengths and that is what she has done. “I will see how she pulls up. “She would probably have to miss the prelude and just be nominated for the Two-YearOld Classic.

“We will give it a go.”

Wilson said the grey, by Wicked Style from Special Deposit, did it easy on debut.

“The 870m, they went a bit quick, but she hit the line solid and 1200m she should be a lot better too,” Wilson said.

“The way she put them away, she did it easy.

“It was a bit of a surprise but we will take it.”

The Chillemi and Wilson combination has form in the 2YO Classic at Townsville as Tyzone smashed the field by 2.5 lengths in the race in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Battle of the Bush Series continues this weekend at Home Hill.

The Burdekin Race Club Open Handicap (1180m) is a qualifier for the June 23 final.

In the 1830m Handicap Burdekin Cup, the women are set to dominate, with all but two jockeys in today’s big race being female.

Cairns jockey Sonja Wiseman will be among the women returning to the Home Hill track for the Landmark Burdekin Growers Race Day.

Burdekin Race Club’s Jan Davies said showers earlier this week ensured a fast track and perfect racing conditions for today’s seven local races.