Fred Wieland after more Cairns carnival glory

By Glenn Davis

A friendship forged more than 12 months ago is set for further success in the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas in Cairns on Saturday.

Cairns trainer Fred Wieland and Brisbane “fly-in fly-out” jockey Sean Cormack have become a formidable team in the state’s north and will be seeking redemption when Swatow tackles the 1500 metre feature.

Swatow, with Cormack aboard, finished second behind the Lyle Wright-trained Obligated in the Townsville Guineas at Cluden Park on August 9 and Wieland hopes the pair can go one better this time.

Cormack found his way into Wieland’s stables after Gold Coast jockey Jason Taylor was injured this time last year.

“Sean came up this time last year to ride for me after Jason was hurt and we’ve had a fair bit of success together ever since,” Wieland said.

“He rings early for rides and rides light which is good.”

The South African-born Cormack has won 12 Group 1s in his home country and also has forged a strong partnership with fellow Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham.

Massingham and Cormack combined to win the Cairns Lightning last Saturday with Lady Damus.

Wieland expects Swatow to be highly competitive again but offered no excuses when beaten by Obligated.

“He had every chance in the Townsville Guineas and was just beaten by a better horse on the day,” Wieland said.

“He’s done well since so he should be hard to beat but he’ll go out for a spell after this race.”

Wieland also has a strong hand in the Cairns Cup.

It is a race he will be seeking for a second time with Stadium Of Light and potentially Perovic if he sneaks in from first emergency.

Wieland won the Cairns Cup with Super Blitz in 2006.

Stadium Of Light has been ridden at his past three starts by Cormack.

However, Cormack has taken the ride on Townsville Cup placegetter and the Massingham-trained Smart Legend for Saturday's event. 

Chris Meehan has picked up the ride on Stadium Of Light while no rider has been declared yet for Perovic who beat his stablemate in the Cairns Amateur Cup last Saturday.

“It was a good solid win from Perovic and Stadium Of Light’s run was also good, but he had a lot of weight,” Wieland said.

“When Perovic first came to me, I thought he might have wanted a spell, but he’s been ticking over well and has adjusted quickly here, so hopefully he'll get a run”

The well-bred Perovic cost only $4,000 at an Inglis online sale and is a half-brother to Coolmore Stud sire King’s Legacy who was a dual Group 1-winner.