Front-running mare Bold Eos and jockey Ryan Wiggins will put their unbeaten partnership in Townsville to the test at Friday’s Valentines Day race meeting at Cluden Park.
Bold Eos and Wiggins have combined for two starts at Cluden for feature race wins in the 2019 Great Northern Two-Year-Old Classic and November’s Queen Of The Coast Final.
But Rockhampton trainer Jarrod Wehlow is taking nothing for granted with the mare when she tackles the strong Very Casual Events Class 5 Plate (1200m) on Friday.
“The mare loves Townsville and I’ve just waited for the right race to go back up there with her,” Wehlow said.
“It is a strong race for a Class 5, but the weight’s good (55.5kg), she likes the track and Ryan rides her great and I think she’ll run well again.
“The issue might be the pace of the race. She’s a much better leader and there’s two or three others in the race that go fast so it will be interesting.”
The Class 5 Plate with set weights conditions has attracted a crack field of restricted class sprinters from across the north.
As well as Bold Eos key players include the Trinity Bannon-trained Fanaar, Hard Yaga and El Of A Saga from Cairns, Disco Mo, and Townsville hopes Aberration, Unshakeable and Ashton Blair.
Meanwhile, Wulguru trainer Bill Kenning has been delighted with the progress of Lady Yendor going in to the Valentine’s Day Open Hcp (1400m).
The former top filly resumed with an eye-catching third to Brad in open grade over 1200m last week and has pleased Kenning enough to back up a week later.
Lady Yendor was one of the best two and three-year-olds of her year in the north but experienced a form slump during last winter’s feature races.
“The first-up run was a good hit-out for her and you want to see them go well stepping up from three-year-old class to open grade for the first time,” Kenning said.
“I was happy with her run and really happy with how she pulled up. The 1400m this week will suit her down to the ground.
“Her last prep was a bit of a dipsy doodle affair. She lost her form and we found that she was suffering from a kidney problem that had obviously upset her system.
“She had treatment and a spell and we think everything’s right with her now.
“The plan is to probably give her another run after Friday and then a let up before getting her ready for carnival time.”
Kenning also expected his other runners Gem Rowie in the Two-Year-Old Mdn (1000m) and Unshakeable in the Class 5 Plate (1200m) to run well in tough races.
Pictured: Happy hunting ground. Bold Eos with happy connections after winning the Queen Of The Coast final at Cluden Park in November. Courtesy Mike Mills Photography
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