Sir Grace chasing redemption in Cairns Cup

By Glenn Davis

It took a track record to deny Rockhampton’s Sir Grace victory in the Townsville Cup but for New Zealand-born Warwick Satherley the battle continues for a country Cups feature in Cairns on Saturday.

Satherley, who is dual licensed, is on a working holiday in the state’s Far North and will continue his quest for Cups glory when Sir Grace tackles the Cairns Cup over 2100 metres at Cannon Park on Saturday.

Sir Grace has finished second at his past two starts in the Mackay and Townsville Cups, the latter when beaten in track record time by Toowoomba galloper Quothquan.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in this horse and he should be very competitive again and be hard to beat against similar horses,” Satherley said.

“It’s an extra 100 metres which will suit him and the extra distance doesn’t bother me at all.”

Satherley, who has five horses in work, normally rides his own runners but has been out of action since he was hurt in an accident at Bluff in the middle of July.

“I bruised my calf and tore ligaments,” Satherley said.

“I wasn’t ready to ride him in the Mackay Cup when Sean Cormack rode him.

“I’m hoping to be back riding at Springsure next week.

“I was originally going to take a holiday and tip him out for a break, but his form has been so good we decided to travel him north and take a holiday with him.”

Jockey Nathan Thomas, who rode Sir Grace in the Townsville Cup, has retained the ride for the Cairns Cup.

‘He ran well in the Mackay Cup, but he ran into one who was better on the day,” Satherley said.

“The winner (Hype) tracked him all the way and then it was much the same in the Townsville Cup.

“It was similar run to Mackay and he worked home strongly in Townsville.”

Satherley grew up around racing royalty in his native New Zealand and Sir Grace was the first horse he saddled as a trainer when he first moved to Rockhampton.

The gelding also became Satherley’s first winner as a trainer after claiming his maiden in Rockhampton in March of last year.

Fast forward to now and Sir Grace has started 17 times for Satherley for seven wins and five placings.

He has earned more than $146,000 after being purchased for $11,000 at an Inglis online sale.

As well as the Mackay and Townsville Cups, Sir Grace also attempted to win the Rockhampton Cup but could manage only sixth to the Ricky Vale-trained Logan Street Lion in last month’s 1600 metre feature.

Satherley once worked alongside champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller before crossing the ditch and eventually settled in Rockhampton three years ago.