Trainer waits on Jewel run

ATHERTON Tablelands trainer Ricky Ludwig is gearing up for his biggest North Queensland race win in the $105,000 Northern Jewel 3YO at Cluden Park Townsville on Friday week.

Ludwig is hoping his promising gelding Lord Of Light gains a spot in the feature after a dazzling third in the prelude last Friday.

Lord Of Light was an unlucky third, beaten a nose and short neck, behind the Roy Chillemi-trained Palencia and Fire King, who was an impressive winner at Mackay on Tuesday.

Ludwig bought Lord Of Light for $15,000 in an online sale from Annabel Neasham’s stable as an unraced two-yearold colt with one barrier trial.

He immediately gelded the horse and put him to work in his Malanda stables.

“We had a fair bit of trouble with him at first, he went shin sore twice then crashed into a fence hurting a leg,” the 69year-old veteran said.

“There was no real damage to his leg but it took a while to get right.

“He’s fine now and his run last week convinced me he’s up with the top three-year-olds in the North”.

Palencia, unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old and twice a winner in his past five starts, and Yes Dream are among top hopes.

Ludwig has booked teenage female jockey sensation Jasmine Cornish for the Jewel feature.