Demon On a Path to Carnival Riches

Townsville trainer Les Gordy will use a low key benchmark race at Cluden Park tomorrow to kick off a cheeky bid aimed at the Cleveland Bay Handicap with progressive sprinter Demon Award.

The Shamus Award gelding is first-up in the Thank You SES BM 70 Hcp (1200m) against a strong restricted class field that includes the in-form Rockhampton raider Janean.

Gordy is convinced Demon Award has the quality to be competitive in the big northern sprints after winning two of his three northern starts since coming north from Melbourne.

“The first race last prep was only a BM 55 and nothing to write home about, even though he won by four lengths. But his win in Cairns he beat some pretty handy horses,” Gordy said.

“He’d only just got off a float from Melbourne three weeks before his first race here so I’ve been pretty impressed with how he’s coped with the conditions and put a couple on the board.

“He’s got the ability, there’s no question about that but whether he can put it together and get to the Cleveland Bay we’ll find out in his next three or four starts.”

Gordy bought Demon Award in an online Inglis auction in the hope he would be good enough to replace his former top grade galloper Bullion Wolf who won 11 races including the Cairns Amateur Cup.

Demon Award created a big impression at his first start in Townsville at last year’s carnival, bolting in by 4.3 lengths on Cup day in a quick 56.17secs for the 1000m.

The gelding was narrowly beaten at his next start on Cairns Cup day after racing waywardly but made amends with a strong win over the smart Speed Legend over 1250m Cl3 Plate at the Cairns Amateurs. 

Both the Demon Award and Speed Legend form has since been the benchmark for a number of restricted class races.

“A good mate of mine who does some spotting for us recommended we buy him. I thought he’d go for too much but we got him for $37,500 and he’s won a bit more than that back already in his three starts,” Gordy said.

“Even though he won over 1000m at Cluden first-up I think he’s better suited over 1200m.

“He’s grown a bit and matured a lot more in the head. They say the Shamus Awards only get better with a bit of age so hopefully we can get him out to the 1300m and 1400m this prep.

“The challenge is getting the ratings up. These days to get into the Cleveland Bay you need to be an 80 horse and he’s a 72. That’s why we’ve got him back early so we can get a few wins on the board and then tip him out for a little break and bring him back for the carnival.

“If we can’t get his ratings up he should be able to win one of the qualifying races I reckon so that’s another way we might be able to get in.

Gordy also has high hopes that former Sydneysider Captain Bond will make a strong running mate for Demon Award at this year’s carnivals after winning three of his five starts since joining the stable.

“He’s a horse that’s really surprised me. We picked him up pretty cheap and he’s done very well.

“What I like about Demon and Captain Bond is that they both have fight and like to win and I think they’ll both go on with it.”

Meanwhile, the late Stan McLellan will be honoured for his lifetime contribution to Townsville racing with a race in his name - the Vale Stan McLellan Mdn Plate (1400m).

Mr McLellan was the son of Queensland Country Racing Hall Of Fame trainer Les McLellan snr and a highly respected trainer and mentor to others in his own right.

He prepared numerous top horses but always considered Poldark and I’ll Pay among his best.

Mr McLellan’s son Michael is continuing the family training tradition with a small team at Wulguru.

Pictured: Demon Award, with Rebecca Wilson in the saddle, clears out to a big win at Cluden at his first northern start on Cup day last year. Bigger things are in store for the four-year-old this year.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.