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Bannon gives punters a leg up for Mackay ahead of chasing duel licence.

13 November 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Trinity Bannon has given punters a leg up with her preference for stable favourite Red Hot Romeo in the Open Handicap at Mackay on Friday.

Red Hot Romeo, a last start Townsville winner in October, spearheads Bannon’s three-pronged attack in the 1100-metre dash.

Joining Red Hot Romeo is Tabbing, a placegetter in two of his three starts this campaign and Trerice, who is having his first start since finishing sixth in a Class Six at Mackay in July.

“I’ve got a soft spot for Red Hot Romeo as he’s a stable favourite,” Bannon said.

“He’s very tough and will appreciate the weight relief in this.”

Red Hot Romeo took his record to seven wins and 10 placings in 34 starts when he lumped 62 kilograms to victory in a Benchmark race at Cluden Park in Townsville on October 27.

“Tabbing ran third in a Class Five here last start and we might try to ride him a bit differently in this and be more conservative,” Bannon said.

“He’s only a little horse but he won a lot of money as a young horse which sent his rating up.

“Trerice is going good but he’s first up and might need the run as I’m a little soft on my horses when they start off.

“He’s trialled well but he’s normally better after one or two runs.”

Bannon, 34, was a former top apprentice winning both apprentices and senior titles as a rider before being forced to switch careers to training following a serious collarbone injury after being kicked by a horse in 2015.

She claimed the Mackay trainers’ premierships in her second and third season when she had a much larger team in work and is now a mother of two.

“I practically have two jobs being a trainer and a Mum,” Bannon said.

“I’ve got a great bunch of owners but I decided to cut my team in half and now only have about eight in work.

“My horses mostly go to the beach to do their work.

“This is my fourth year and I didn’t start training until February in my first year then won the next two premierships while I’ve won two local Horse Of The Year awards with Grand Emperor and Warwick Avenue.”

Bannon said she had applied for a dual license to ride again as well as train.

“I’ve applied for a duel licence,” she said.

“I plan on going back riding part time. The bug has got me.”

Racing Queensland webnews   November 13