Surprise Cup Start Awaits Whit

Young trainer Joshua Manzelmann is still pinching himself after sprinter-turned-miler Such A Whit locked in an unlikely Ladbrokes Townsville Cup start with an upset win at Cluden Park on Sunday.

Such A Whit shrugged off a distance doubt to easily upstage raging favourite Mooloolaba in the Ladbrokes Magnetic Island Mile (1609m) to book a berth in the Cup on August 3.

The win came just three days after Manzelmann won the Mackay Lightning with 60-1 shot Fanaar who secured a guaranteed start in the Mackay Newmarket.

Such A Whit was a well beaten fourth on the same day, but Manzelmann said a small field in the Magnetic Mile swayed him into a quick back-up.

“When I raced him the other day in Mackay and saw this I thought I might as well back him up because there was only Georgie Holt’s horse to beat (Mooloolaba),” Manzelmann said.

“I thought he was a chance.

“I’ve got Fanaar in the Mackay Newmarket and now this guy in the Townsville Cup.

“First time I’ve had a runner in those races so hopefully one of them can do something for me.”

Such A Whit, a rising eight-year-old, has now recorded 10 wins from 73 starts.

Sunday’s win was his first at the mile in 15 tries at the trip and first win beyond 1470m.

But the gelding’s lack of staying credentials hasn’t phased Manzelmann about a Cup start.

“If he’s in it (Cup), he’s in it. I might as well give a crack,” he said.

“I’ll look at a few more starts to get him ready for the Cup trip. I was thinking the Rocky Cup next week but I don’t think he’ll get in it. Either that or the HL Black Memorial back in Mackay over 1800m.”

Such A Whit, ridden by an in-form Chelsea Jokic, won by almost four lengths over the erratic Mooloolaba with Cup veteran Sayl a further 4 lengths away third.

The Georgie Holt stable will push on with plans to tackle the Winter Cup (2000m) at Cluden with Mooloolaba despite his defeat.

The loss was only a momentary disappointment for Holt who landed a winning double with short-course specialist Hurtle in the Great Northern Brewing Co Open Hcp (1000m) and Sweet Kisses in the feature, the Magic Millions Townsville Dollars (1400m).

Hurtle, ridden by Lacey Morrison, capitalised on a slow start by favourite Roweiner’s Dance to score a strong win and will now target the Lightning Hcp.

Sweet Kisses again showed her toughness leading throughout with 60kg under an ice-cool ride by heavyweight jockey Ashley Butler.

Charters Towers gelding Reliable Witness flashed late to go down by a head.

Both the winner and runner-up will head to the Guineas over 1609m.

Wulguru trainer Matthew McGuire reached a special milestone when Kobayastar landed him his 50th win in the QTRIS 2YO Hcp (1300m).

“It’s good to get the 50 under my belt early in my career and hopefully the winners will keep coming,’ the 31-year-old said.

“We won it with one of the family horses too which is great. Mum (Michelle) claims this one so it’s probably a bit special to her for her to win today.

“We thought the weights were in our favour and we’d given this filly a little break after her fourth in the Classic so we were confident.

“If she pulls up well there’s a 1400m in a fortnight and then she’ll probably go for a spell.

“She has always shown ability. She was very impressive in her first prep last year but unfortunately she didn’t get to the races because of her behaviour.

“We put her in the paddock and this is her second prep and it’s been extended and she’s now won two so to her credit she’s done very well.

“Our carnival horses are up and running and the quality is back in the stable.

“They’ve had their break and they’re finding the right races which helps.

“Leading in to carnival we’re hitting the right type of form.”

McGuire said he had high hopes for Sir Maximus, Savvy Sovereign, Castile and Mission House over the carnival.

Kobayastar provided jockey Chelsea Jokic with the first leg of a winning double.

Premiership hoop Lacey Morrison also landed two winners.

She scored on Boogie Wonderland for trainer Alwyn Bailey and Lady Rain for Townsville trainer Graham Hughes.

Bailey also won with My Artie, ridden by Ash Butler giving him two winners for the day.

Pictured: Chelsea Jokic cracks a smile as she guides Such A Whit to a Ladbrokes Townsville Cup start.

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