Namazu chasing Townsville Cup ‘three-peat’.

He is a giant racehorse and at his best commands the turf. This year’s Rockhampton The Archer winner Namazu is back at Townsville’s Cluden Park this Saturday, to defend his Townsville Cup crown. 

Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale will attempt to collect his third consecutive Townsville Cup (2000m) with the gelding that has already won over $1 million in prizemoney. Namazu who led all the way to win the Townsville Cup in 2022 and came from behind to take the lead at the top of the straight and win the Cup last year, will have an army of supporters again for his return to the northern track. Vale has engaged in-form jockey Ash Butler who partnered Namazu to win The Archer (WFA) over 1300 metres at Callaghan Park in April for the Townsville Cup ride. Namazu has only raced three times since his Archer triumph, finishing unplaced in the Listed Spear Chief (1500m) at Eagle Farm, unplaced in the Amateur Cup (1600m) at Callaghan Park and unplaced in the Rockhampton Cup (1600m) at Callaghan Park. But good horses can never be underestimated and that is certainly the case with Namazu who looks primed to bounce back.  The galloper will carry 62kg in the Townsville.

The only other Rocky galloper in the Townsville Cup is the Jared Wehlow trained Major Artie to be ridden by Sean Cormack. Butler also has the mount on Cluden track talent Smart Image for Trevor and Peter Rowe in the Cleveland Bay Handicap (1300m). Local trainer Mark Cochrane could have two starters in the Cleveland Bay. Stampe will be ridden by Chris Whitely and Real Key, drawn as an emergency, will require a scratching or two to scrape into the field. 

RJC CEO, David Aldred.