Sport
19 February, 2025
Racing in the North West resumes this Saturday
There will be a five-race program at Buchanan Park to kick off 2025.
After travelling far and wide during the summer to find suitable races for her horses, Shryn Royes is happy that the North West racing season will resume on Saturday.
And while the trek to Mount Isa from Richmond is still lengthy, the long-time trainer will be hoping to return home on Saturday with at least a couple of winners.
One horse that should be hard to beat is Ilzoomya, who was a shock winner at Townsville last week at massive odds of $41.
The six-year-old gelding lobbed in Royes’ stable just as the North West season came to a close, but has been sent to Innisfail, Cairns and Townsville over the summer.
Despite the long odds, Royes said she was confident her bargain buy would run well in the Benchmark 62 Handicap (1200m).
“He’s better off ridden from behind and he’s actually got form around (stablemate) Restrictions,” she said.
“I thought he might need another run because we had a lot of rain at Richmond which meant the horses were only on the walker.
“I actually looked at him in the enclosure and thought he looked the best of them. I don’t think Denmans like a lot of work, once they’re fit, they’re fit.
“I only paid only $3000 for him. I only buy cheap ones and we’ve had some luck.”
Ilzoomya has been nominated for the Kenlach Transport Open Plate (1000m) at Buchanan Park on Saturday, although could face some stiff opposition.
Barcaldine trainer Bevan Johnson has nominated Han Dynasty, who has won nine of his 10 starts at Mount Isa, while Julia Creek’s Tanya Parry has entered 2024 boom horse Just Stop It, who will be resuming from a spell.
There are five races on the card at Buchanan Park and Mount Isa Race Club president Jay Morris is hoping for a good turnout for the first meeting of the 2025 calendar.
“It’s our beach races day so we encourage everyone to dress up like they would if they were going to the beach,” he said.
“We’ve got a live band and there will be a lucky door prize for one fortunate punter.”
SUBSIDY CHANGES
Racing Queensland has made a major change to its “Go West” travel subsidy for jockeys making the trip to the North West.
Under the initial scheme, RQ subsidised up to two return flights (to a maximum of $1200 each) to each non-TAB race meeting; and up to three return flights (to a maximum of $800 each) to each TAB meeting.
The new scheme will see RQ subsidise up to four flights (to a maximum of $800 each) to each non-TAB and TAB race meeting in the North West region.
To be eligible for the subsidy, a jockey must have a minimum of three rides booked for the meeting.