Massingham hopes for a big day out in Cairns

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stephen Massingham hopes “to build a bank” at Tuesday’s Cairns meeting for his star galloper The Harrovian’s next assignment in the Listed Bernborough Handicap at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day.

Massingham has a 20% share in The Harrovian who he formerly trained before the gelding stretched his winning sequence to 10 for father and son trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds after his last start victory in the Listed Recognition Stakes at Doomben.

“I’ve got a few runners in Cairns and a few have good chances and it would be great to build a bank for when The Harrovian goes around next in the Bernborough,” Massingham said.

Massingham has six starters engaged in four races but is pinning his hopes on Sydney cast-off Endorse in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m).

Endorse has won two of his three starts for Massingham since he was bought for $45,000 at an Inglis online auction.

Massingham rated the son of Brazen Beau as a cheap buy and is confident of a strong first-up showing despite him not starting since winning over 1250 metres at Cairns on April 30.

“He only had three starts for Peter and Paul Snowden when I got him for $45,000 at an online auction,” Massingham said.

“I thought he would go for about $60,000 so he was a good buy.

“He ran third at his first start at Randwick then went straight into a $1 million race (Golden Gift) at Rosehill at his next run then he ran third at Canberra before I bought him for Tom Hedley.

“I liked him because he was eligible for QTIS so the plan is to go through the grades after he chases the QTIS prizemoney.

“He won his first race for me by eight lengths then he ran second to a smart horse in Higher Realm at Townsville before he won his last race in Cairns.”

Massingham will be double handed in two other races with Cash Raider and Devil’s Lair in the Class Six Plate (1250m) and Casurina Star and Regan in the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1500m).

“Cash Raider is my next best chance on the day,” Massingham said.

“He’s got plenty of ability but he’s got a bit of trick in him.

“Devil’s Lair is only a rough hope as he’s had a couple of throat operations in his career.”

Cash Raider - a Justin Stanley mount - is coming off a last start win over 1250 metres in a Benchmark 60 races at Cairns on December 3.

Massingham also gives his other - Ginger Beer - a good show in the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 950 metres.