CANBERRA trainer Paul Jones believes horse Al Ahmar is now ready to take on the Queanbeyan Cup next month, after he ran a brilliant final 350 metres to take the Defence Force Cup at the Queanbeyan Racing Course last Sunday.
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Jones said in the past his eight-year old gelding had struggled in 2000 metre races, but he picked up his first win at that length at Canberra's Thoroughbred Park on August 14, before making it two in a row at Queanbeyan.
He raced most of the Defence Force Cup around the middle in third position, before coming home strong to beat $2.30 favourite Cuban Star, who led most of the race, and Bruadar, with the latter two finishing third and second respectively.
Jones said after a disappointing run in last year's Queanbeyan Cup, he was unsure of whether to field Al Ahmar in the event this year, but he now had his confirmation.
"It's his first win in Queanbeyan. He's had three races here now, and he was one of the favourites in the Queanbeyan Cup last year, but he had a poor ride, and went too hard in front and then stopped," Jones said.
"He hadn't won a 2000 metre race until this season's preparation, and now he's won a couple."
"We were 'umming and ah-ing' about whether to keep him in the Queanbeyan Cup pending this run today, but I think I've got enough support now from the owners to keep him in it."
Jones said after coming in at a $3.80 second favourite to win last year's Queanbeyan Cup, he was keen to give it another go after finishing last year's race in fifth.
"I'd like to win it because I thought he ran well last year before he drew the outside gate and ran too hard in front, and I'd like to have a go and rectify that mistake," he said.
Jones added it was a great feeling winning the Defence Force Cup, established to recognise the work defence does to keep Australia safe.
"It's a race supporting the defence force people, and it's always a good thing to support them because they support us." he said.
