QUEANBEYAN Horse trainer Joe Cleary said he is happy with his horse Landlocked's progress so far this Spring season, after he finished fourth in the 1600 metre handicap at Royal Randwick a fortnight ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was his first appearance at Randwick since April last year, and he has only been back in action for two months after taking a 69 week spell, and he won his race in Wagga Wagga on August 22 and in Queanbeyan on September 8.
But with tough competition at the $85,000 race at Randwick, including Gai Waterhouse's Golden Aro, Cleary said there were no concerns despite the fourth placed finish.
"I thought he had a really good run, and I was just a bit concerned with how Brodie Loy [jockey] rode him," Cleary said.
"He'll go back to Sydney on the 29th of October as will Quietly Brilliant, who had a good win in Canberra recently."
Cleary ran just two horses at the Queanbeyan race meet last week, taking third in 1460 metres handicap with Going Kentucky, while Gerry Harvey owned horse Rimu came ran in sixth in the 875 metre handicap.
Despite leading the race and sliding back to third in the dying metres, Cleary though Going Kentucky still raced well, and will race her again at Queanbeyan on Sunday before giving her a spell.
"It was a really good run. I'll bring her back here, but she'll have a well deserved spell after that," he said.
The next meet will be the last before the Queanbeyan Cup on November 29, and Cleary said he is preparing General Explorer- another Harvey-owned horse-and Landlocked for Queanbeyan's biggest race.
Meanwhile, this Sunday will see the Defence Force Cup return to the Queanbeyan Racing Club, with all defence force personnel and their families getting free entrance.
A merry-go-round, face painting and 'fashions on the field' will also be in store on the day, and being a weekend event, Queanbeyan Racing CEO Brendan Comyn said it would be a big day with a great atmosphere.