Jumbo Prince is one of the smallest horses in Queensland but he is out for a big pay day in the $160,000 Grafton Cup.
Trainer Michael Nolan said Jumbo Prince’s second in the Listed Caloundra Cup on July 2 had convinced him to take him south for Thursday’s Listed race over 2350m-race.
“He is fit and well so why not give him a chance at winning another stakes race. Jim Byrne will ride him and I am looking forward to the challenge,” Nolan said.
Jumbo Prince has had a good winter, winning the Listed Members Handicap and finishing second in the Ipswich Cup as well as the Caloundra Cup.
“He cost only $8000 and has won $645,000. No wonder he is one of our favourites,” Nolan said.
“He has been Group One-placed in the Queensland Derby at 2200 metres.”
The Toowoomba-based trainer had a big day at Doomben on Saturday, landing a winning double with Rough Eddie and Angel Dancer.
Fellow Queensland trainer Bruce Hill is also pleased with comeback galloper Teronado who will also tackle the Grafton Cup.
Teronado, who was placed in the 2014 Group One Rosehill Guineas, suffered a career-threatening injury in that year’s George Main Stakes.
Hill has nursed him back to form and Teronado showed he was ready to win with a fast-finishing second to Feltre in a 1800m-Listed race at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.
“We can finally get him out to a staying race distance in the Grafton Cup. He has done well and the race should suit him,” Hill said.
Robert Thompson will replace the suspended James Orman on Teronado,.
Premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan will have Caloundra Cup winner Amexed and veteran Brave Ali in Grafton Cup.
Amexed is on the second line of betting alongside Jumbo Prince at $6 with Index Linked and Malice the TAB’s equal $4.60 favourites.
