McGovern chasing career highlight in Mackay Guineas

By Glenn Davis

Townsville trainer Terry McGovern is yet to claim a feature race win in his brief training career but is hopeful his time has finally arrived.

McGovern has made a habit of landing a few long shot winners and hopes to add Belmont Park to the list in the Magic Millions Whitsunday Guineas at Mackay on Saturday.

“My biggest win was with Tempo in a Class 6 in Townsville three years ago during the winter carnival when he started at 100-1,” McGovern said.

“Heiswoody also won a race one day in Townsville at a big price. 

“I think Belmont Park will be at big odds too and he’ll be very competitive.”

Belmont Park recorded his first win in a maiden at Townsville in January and was a second-up winner at Mackay in June.

However, McGovern is at a loss to explain Belmont Park’s disappointing effort when last in a field of six behind the Matthew McGuire-trained Mission House in the Ingham Gold Cup on July 12.

“His win for me in Mackay was outstanding that’s why we went to Ingham full of confidence,” he said.

“But, I don’t know what went wrong at Ingham.

“I had him vetted and had his bloods done but nothing showed up.

“I took him to the beach for work on Monday and he felt terrific so whether it was the Ingham track, I’m not sure.”

Belmont Park was bought for only $4,000 privately after four starts for Brisbane trainer Desleigh Forster.

“He came to me from Desleigh’s in great order and is one of the best horses to ever come into my barn,” McGovern said.

“He just wasn’t up to the grade in Brisbane.”

McGovern still carries the scars of his rodeo days before he decided to take up training.

“I used to ride bulls,” he said.

Mackay has been a favourite surface for McGovern who prepared his first winner at the track when Kanui saluted on his first day of training in December of 2019.

McGovern is a farrier by trade and has seven horses on his books at his 100-acre property at Black River, just north of Townsville.

“I bought Black River three years and it’s been a good move as it’s got a 1200 metre training track, a 60 metre swimming pool, a walker and I’ve just put in 24 spelling paddocks,” he said.

“I’ve put every cent I’ve got into the property which is why I’ve only got seven horses on the books and only three in work at the moment.”