CYS Country Cup Raceday Preview: Friday 11 April

EX-HAYES 4YO READY TO MAKE A POSITIVE ROCKY DEBUT

Universal Harmony looked impressive winning a recent jump-out at Callaghan Park and all going to plan, the four-year-old could be in for a first up victory in the Len Milner Memorial Maiden Handicap at Callaghan Park at Friday’s Country Cup meeting.

Formerly trained by Ben, Will and J D Hayes, Universal Harmony is now prepared at Callaghan Park by Jamie McConachy.

The son of Brave Smash and Bella Gioia is set to make a local debut as the 60kg topweight from the outside barrier in the seven horse-field in the Maiden (1100m) and Chris McIver has been booked for the ride.

A $200,000 yearling at the 2022 Magic Millions Sale, Universal Harmony has raced 11 times in Victoria for six minor placings including finishing runner up at Sandown, Ballarat and Mornington. He has also won two barrier trials in Victoria and a 1000m two-horse jump out at Callaghan Park last week.

Despite only having one opponent, Universal Harmony’s only public appearance in Rockhampton had ‘winner’ written all over it.

Going head-to-head with stablemate Dubious Love (Raul Silvera Olivera), Universal Harmony led from barrier to post, jumping smartly with McIver controlling the speed early before shooting clear in the straight to hold a five-length margin on his rival at the finish. Universal Harmony was hand-timed to run the 1000m in 59.37s.

Three-year-old Dubious Love has shown plenty of ability, winning a Maiden last November and finished third to the smart galloper Scrub Chain in December.

Universal Harmony’s sire Brave Smash was a multiple G1-winning sprinter, taking out the Manikato Stakes and Futurity Stakes, both at weight for age, and his dam Bella Gioia (by Swiss Ace) was a smart performer in New Zealand, winning over $100,000.

Natalie McCall’s Starward looks the toughest for Universal Harmony to beat.

The three-year-old by Spirit Of Boom will be ridden by Justin Stanley. Starward’s form on the Sunshine Coast has been good, finishing third at Corbould Park, Caloundra in February and March. Over 1200m last start, Starward, a $46,000 graduate of the March Magic Millions Sale in 2023, went up to win its Maiden at Caloundra but faded in the run to the line. Starward is a dual acceptor for the meeting, also listed to run in the QTIS 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m),

ROMA  & CHARLEVILLE GALLOPERS TO CONTEST THE COUNTRY CUP

Last year’s Charleville Cup runner-up Bors is an interesting runner in the $30,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1600m) at Callaghan Park on Friday. The well-travelled Roma galloper trained by Jon Taylor will be ridden by Justin Stanley from barrier five. Bors, a multiple winner of races on country tracks in Victoria, joined Taylor’s stable last spring for a crack at the Birdsville Cup. He didn’t win that but raced well at his subsequent starts. Bors has had two race starts this campaign at Wandoan and Roma. His latest was a fourth place in a BM60 (1640m) won by Saint Martin. The Fastnet Rock six-year-old was handicapped with 65.5kg in that race. Another galloper Legend of Zorro will also make the trek to Callaghan Park for this race. The 8yo trained by Rodney Hay was a winner last month at Wandoan. Hay has engaged 3kg claim apprentice Brooke Johnston to lessen the son of Toronado’s 63kg impost.

Nick Walsh’s Get What You Give should run as the race favourite. Drawn well at barrier four, Get What You Give was narrowly beaten by Sir Grace at Callaghan Park on 15 March over 1400m. The 5yo chestnut by Spieth was also second to the promising Sir Grace two runs back over 1500m.

The seven-race Country Cup program starts at 12.56pm.

David Aldred CEO -RJC