Trainer upbeat for Cup
IN A wide open 2018 edition of the Laura Cup, Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff believes Amuleto has as good a chance as any this afternoon.
The Laura Amateur Turf Club will today host the 121st running of the Laura Cup (1450m).
Malliff will target bush races with the five-year-old who was purchased from the Jared Wehlow stable in Rockhampton.
The gelding is known to throw in a forgettable run every now and again and Malliff is hopeful that run was last start at Townsville, where he finished more than eight lengths behind the winner.
“The mate of mine I bought him from said that he would win races in the bush left and right and centre with him because he loves it,” Malliff said.
“That is the indication he has given me at home since we got him.
“His form has been pretty good, Cairns two starts ago he was really good, but his form tells us he runs one in four pretty bad.
“Hopefully that bad run is out of the way before we get to Laura.”
Jockey Stephen Wilson and Shekou, the Janel Ryantrained mare, won the $12,000 Laura Cup in 2017.
The experienced stable of Ryan in Tolga sends two Cup chances to Laura today, Five Stars and Lover Of Life, while Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe will be hopeful of Great Pretender returning to his best.
“My bloke has drawn a lit- tle tricky at six but if he had drawn inside four, I would have just about declared him,” Malliff said.
“He will be there when the whips are cracking.
“We will be giving them something to chase, that is for certain.”
The day features six races, highlighted by the $12,000 Laura Cup and Patron Bill Ware QTIS Maiden Plate.
Meanwhile, Mackay hosts a Race to the Reef Qualifier this afternoon, the $25,000 Barry Williams Memorial Lightning, a weight-for-age event over 1050m.
The winner of the heat will be exempt from the ballot for the Race to the Reef Final, which is to be held at Townsville on July 21.
The Mackay card also features the $25,000 H.L. Black Memorial Open Handicap (1800m).
Tablelands pair Roy Chillemi and Wanderson D’Avila will partner with Union Jukebox to try to claim the Open Handicap today.
Bank Teller could return to form in the QTIS Two-YearsOld Handicap (1050m).