Fodor eyes Townsville QTIS Jewel qualifier

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Steve Massingham is hopeful former Brisbane galloper Fodor can repay punters for a costly last start defeat when the gelding returns to Townsville on Tuesday.

Fodor was sent out a heavily backed $1.85 favourite last start but failed to haul in the Liliana McCormack-trained Freddy Barbarossa in a 1200 metre Three-Year-Old Handicap in Townsville last month.

Fodor and Freddy Barbarossa face off for a third time in the QTIS Jewel Qualifier over 1200 metres and Massingham is hopeful his gelding can turn the tables.

The pair also met at Townsville 16 days earlier when Freddy Barbarossa tailed off in a field of nine while Fodor finished second in a 1000 metre Three-Year-Old Handicap.

“I’m extremely confident Fodor can win,” Massingham said.

“He got pole-axed on the home turn last run just as the winner darted away.

“It knocked the stuffing out of him but he did a great job to fight back again.”

Massingham believes set weights should favour Fodor.

“The winner was pretty smart that day but this is set weights and Fodor drops drops two kilograms to 57kgs,” he said.

Although Massingham is confident Fodor can win for the third time in eight starts, a Brisbane trip for the QTIS Jewel Final at Doomben next month remains unlikely.

“I don’t think he’ll be going down for the QTIS Jewel if he wins as I think he’ll be spelling by then,” he said.

Fodor was originally trained by Chris Munce in Brisbane but was sold to North Queensland’s biggest owner Tom Hedley after finishing third on debut at Beaudesert in August last year.

Fodor showed a liking for wet tracks in his first appearance on a Heavy 8 at Beaudesert when beaten just over one length by the Desleigh Forster-trained Tres Redoute.

Since heading to Massingham’s Cairns stables, Fodor is yet to miss a place with two wins and four placings in six starts.

Massingham will have eight starters at Townsville and rates Dunatun in the Open Handicap over 1300 metres as one of his best chances.

“Dunatun will run against his stable mate Rigel and both will appreciate a drop in weight and I think Dunatun is the better chance,” he said.