Herne planning northern raid

BRISBANE trainer Lauren Herne’s love affair with the Townsville Turf Club’s winter carnival has gone back a number of years.

Back to the days when she first grabbed the whip and jumped in the saddle.

It is why the jockey-cumtrainer has committed to a northern raid every year, relocating to Yabulu for two months over the winter time to launch an assault on Cluden Park and Cannon Park in Cairns.

She had a good start to the endeavour last year, taking out a feature stayer’s race at Cluden Park before galloper Kievann ran second in the Cleveland Bay Handicap (1200m).

She is back this year with her sights set on the Townsville Turf Club features, and if her efforts yesterday are anything to go by, the silverware can be etched now. Herne was shouting the roof off the grandstand as six-year-old stakes winner Gold Symphony defied a 63kg impost and $18 starting price to lead all the way to the finishing post.

The trainer had acquired the gelding for a potential shot at the Cairns Newmarket later this month, but after a strong performance under the hand Rockhampton hoop Ash Butler yesterday, she could aim him at the Townsville Cup.

He was unstoppable after moving to the front in the opening stages, holding out a late challenge from the shortpriced Mishani Vaidra and Follow Suit who fought out a photo finish for the minors.

“There was no speed in this race, so we knew he could get a nice cheap lead and then kick away from them,” Herne said.

“He is a very timid type horse, he doesn’t like any other horses around him and I think that is his problem. He just has no confidence. He obviously has plenty of ability, he has won three group races, but he just has zero confidence. We are trying to build that, and that will help heaps today.

“It is probably going to worry him if he gets any more (weight) than that, but the weight doesn’t really worry him. It is just about how you ride him.

“He is a horse where you have to ride him to his mood, if he jumps out and just wants to settle you are going to have to settle, but if he wants to get forward you need to go.

“Ash knows him now, so I am just rapt with his ride. It was 10 out of 10.

“We will have to talk about whether he goes in the Cup or not. He has never run over 2000m before, so we don’t know. I had the Cairns Newmarket earmarked for him, it is a 1400m race, but we will have to sit down and talk with the owners.”