Teal after more Cup gongs ahead of Birdsville trip

By Jordan Gerrans

With the Gladstone Cup of 2025 now in his possession, comeback trainer Gary Teal has a few more iconic Queensland bush Cups on his agenda. 

The well-travelled Teal is a regular on the famed Birdsville circuit over his time in racing and he will make the long trip out again this year and believes he might have a contender for all the major races. 

Teal’s Three Gongs landed the money in Saturday’s Gladstone Cup and the veteran conditioner will also take stablemate Lovezeladys out to the popular regional carnival.

Teal estimates he has made the long journey to the iconic Birdsville circuit seven times previously in his time in the caper. 

“He booked himself a ticket to the Birdsville races virtually,” Teal said of Three Gongs’ performance over the mile on Gladstone’s sand surface. 

“That is where we are going with him, that’s the next move.

“I will do the three Bs – Birdsville, Bedourie and Betoota. 

“Gladstone is a good foundation to go bush because of the surface there. The Birdsville carnival, it is a great trip.”

Three Gongs’ triumph in the $15,000 Cup was Teal’s first training victory since the 2018-19 season.

He won at the juicy quote of $26 as the outsider in the field over 1608 metres. 

The 69-year-old has prepared a team of horses since around 2007 but has had time away from the industry in recent years as he aided his uncle with his cattle operation in Central Queensland.

The hobby conditioner prepares his small team out of his Mount Morgan property, which is about 40kms out of Rockhampton.

Three Gongs is only a recent acquisition for the trainer after he previously was prepared by James Moore at Caloundra. 

The five-year-old gelding finished near the tail of the field in his last few efforts for Moore before the young trainer opted to move him on. 

Teal saw something in Three Gongs last run for Moore where he hit the line well over 1400 metres at Gatton in the middle of June that suggested he was keen to run over a further trip.

The win on Saturday in the Gladstone Cup was his first attempt at any race beyond 1600 metres. 

“He was taken to the lead the other day by Nikki Olzard and virtually led all the way,” he said.

“I think he is that sort of versatile horse, it does not matter where he runs in a race – he will go to the line well no matter what happens.

“He is a relaxed and cool horse.”

Now calling Central Queensland home, Teal previously trained out of Springsure and Gatton earlier in his time in the industry. 

He got his start in the sport through his father Bill who trained on the Darling Downs with success through the 1970s.

The Cup victory on Saturday was Teal’s second in the Gladstone feature after he won the race back in 2010 with Afleet Boy.

Afleet Boy also went on to race at Birdsville.

“It was really good,” the trainer said of Saturday’s win. 

“He has been a loveable horse to have; he is a true little gentleman.

“He puts in and is a lovely horse to do anything with.

“Racing is in my blood; I just love doing it and the challenge.”

Lovezeladys has only had one race start for Teal, but he is hopeful the galloper will be competitive in the upcoming trip. 

It was a prolific day for promising apprentice Olzard on Saturday as she nabbed the feature Cup and Newmarket double on Gladstone’s big meeting.