Mackay trainer John Manzelmann’s decision to put some stayers on the float to Brisbane to accompany his runner in a Highway race paid off when one of them caused a huge upset at Doomben.
Calypso Bay ($81) stormed home late to beat Harper’s Choice ($10) by a neck with a length to Exoteric ($18) third in the TAB Handicap (2200m).
Manzelmann is noted for travelling horses and at his previous start Calypso Bay had run unplaced at Middlemount in Central Queensland.
However, he rarely comes to Brisbane and decided to put five other horses on the float to accompany his Highway Plate runner Baker’s Dozen.
The Highway is Queensland’s answer to a popular series of races run in NSW.
“I was attracted by the chance to bring a horse to Brisbane for the new Highway race and decided I might as well bring some others,” Manzelmann said.
“I had three in the Open Handicap and I suppose any one of them winning was a bit of a surprise.”
Calypso Bay ran fifth in the Townsville Cup last month but Manzelmann said he didn’t take the gelding even further north for the Cairns Cup which was also run on Saturday.
“This race suited him a lot better and it has paid off,” Manzelmann said.
Calypso Bay was trained in Brisbane by Darryl Ward and won the Deagon Cup four runs back before being sent north.
“Really his form wasn’t that bad but obviously not many others agreed,” he said.
