Hopes for Magic to get a run at Cannon Park
A rookie FNQ trainers name will be in the race book but he says it is more of a team effort to get their mare to race day.
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Rookie trainer Alexander Stubbs’ name will be in the race book but he says it is more of a team effort to get Rothesay Magic to race day.
Stubbs has been around horses since the 1980s, owned them on and off over the decades, and one thing has led to another and now he has his own training licence.
The Mareeba team that Stubbs leads is hoping to have their first starter in their name on Thursday afternoon at CJC, Rothesay Magic in the Ratings Band 0 – 55 Handicap (950m).
The expectation earlier this week was the race would be split with big nominations, but with the rail out so far, and only 15 horses accepting, there is likely to be six emergencies scratched on Thursday morning, of which Rothesay Magic will be one.
Nevertheless, if the Stubbs team don’t break their duck on Thursday, it will come in the next few weeks when a suitable race is found.
“Matey” Taylor, Russell Lethbridge, Bernie Carty and Stubbs, among a few others, all pitched in to get the temperamental bay mare in a condition to race.
The six-year-old has been through five trainers in her 13-start career.
“We do it as a team, Matey is there all the time, I am there as often as I can be,” Stubbs said.
“There were times where trainers did not want to listen to what the owners’ wishes were, so we thought there was only one way to fix that … which was to train the horse ourselves, and I drew the short straw.
“It is a group effort.”
Stubbs described “Matey” as a horse whisperer while others in the ownership group include doctors and nurses, who all help where possible.
Stubbs has been running cattle for the best part of 50 years on the southern Atherton Tablelands.
Leading hoop Wanderson D’Avila has made the trip over from Tolga a couple of times to ride the mare in work as well.
“We are encouraged by the horse, she will give her best when she gets her first start for us, she is fit and healthy,” Stubbs said.
“She has worked well and the 950m at Cairns would be just what she needs.
“We pay attention to detail to get the horse near their best and ready to run, which we feel Rothesay Magic would be for Thursday.
“One thing about her is that she will give 110% effort.”
Connections are hopeful of a few scratchings either on Wednesday night or Thursday morning and have booked Jeffrey Felix, fresh off a winning double at Mt Isa on Saturday to be the pilot, if they get a start.
Originally published as Hopes for Magic to get a run at Cannon Park