Cairns Cup: Tutelage out to inspire in big race

It will be an emotional win for connections of Tutelage if the gelding can take out the $150,000 Cairns Cup at Cannon Park on Saturday.

It will be an emotional win for connections of Tutelage if the gelding can take out the $150,000 Cairns Cup at Cannon Park on Saturday.

Part-owner Joe D’Addona is no stranger to the ecstasy that comes with winning a Cairns Cup, taking out the 2018 edition of the race as an owner of We Just Love it.

But he and wife, Janice – who is as much into her horses as her husband – won’t be at the track this Saturday.

“I’ve got a really bad back, so I’m laid up, and my wife’s just had an operation on her brain on Wednesday in Townsville,” he said.

Tutelage, ridden by Scott Sheargold, in Race 5 of the Banana Industry Race Day, held at the Innisfail Turf Club. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We struck it bad as far as attending the races – I can’t walk and she‘s just had an operation to remove some cancer from her brain.

“She’s been going through cancer for the last four years, but they’re quite confident everything went good.”

D’Addona said they were “terribly excited” to have Tutelage start in the Cup.

“The horses play a big part in our life, we just enjoy it and have a passion for it,” he said.

“We’ve been in the game a long time, and we get beaten more times than we win, but every one is like a Melbourne Cup win to us.”

While he and Janice won’t be at the track, they will be represented by daughter Jodie Henley.

“My daughter and all her friends will be there,” D’Addona said.

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“She came down (to Townsville) with Janice and I but I said you’ve got to go back home because I want you to hold the Cup up so I can see it on the TV.

“You’ve got to be positive.”

On 2020 Cairns Cup Day, Tutelage won the Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1900m.

In the last 12 months, the five-year-old gelding has missed the placings in just two of his past 10 starts.

Tutelage has found top form of late, winning four of his past six starts, including a last start win in the Banana Cup (1800m) on a Heavy 9 at Innisfail Turf Club.

Trainer Janel Ryan said it had been a strong campaign.

Tutelage, ridden by Scott Sheargold, wins Race 5 of the Banana Industry Race Day, held at the Innisfail Turf Club. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s been impressive but we’ve taken our time with him because he’s only a young horse,” she said.

“He won that race at the carnival last year as a four-year-old and it’s his second prep this time in racing against seasoned horses.

“He’s got to compete against horses that have been racing for quite a few years but he earned his way here, so why not throw him in against the big boys, toughen him up and see how he goes.

“If he doesn’t shape up – and I can’t imagine him not showing something – we also have next year to aim for.”

Originally published as Cairns Cup: Tutelage out to inspire in big race