It is the turn of Townsville to take centre stage on the North Queensland carnival circuit with two successive racedays on Friday and Saturday.
Today’s feature, the Lightning Open Handicap over 1000m, went the way of the Garry Dickson trained Temple Run, who proved good enough to land his third successive win in a pressurised finish after sustaining a strong. long run throughout.
Formally trained by Matthew Smith in New South Wales, Temple Run took two runs to settle into his new surroundings before opening up his winning streak and he is now clearly thriving under Dickson’s care.
The Dream Ahead gelding was partnered Nathan Thomas who has ridden him in three of his four starts in Townsville.
El Shaday, who threatened along the inside rail, was narrowly beaten into second place with Aspen Lad and Our Alicia’s Lane, who also both finished close-up behind the winner, filling second and third place respectively.
The $150,000 Townsville Cup, which has attracted a full field of sixteen runners, will headline tomorrow’s card.
