'Team Geran' reunite at Birdsville

By Glenn Davis

It’s the greatest racing outback party in the country and Toowoomba’s Corey and Kylie Geran will be there again for this year’s two-day Birdsville Cup spectacular which kicks off on Friday.

The son-and-mother training partnership has three runners over the two-day carnival which is the second leg of the famous Simpson Desert Racing Carnival.

Held over three consecutive weekends, the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival kicked off with the running of last Saturday’s Betoota Cup meeting and is followed by the Birdsville races this week and next week’s Bedourie Cup day.

'Team Gerran' has made regular visits to Birdsville over the years and finished second with Torbreck in the Birdsville Cup of 2023.

“We’ve been going to Birdsville for years and I was only about two when Mum and Dad took me there the first time in 1998,” co-trainer Corey Geran said.

“I’ve been there four or five times since.”

'Team Geran' hopes to claim its first Birdsville Cup on Saturday with imported galloper Without Revenge.

Without Revenge was previously prepared by the David Vandyke stable at the Sunshine Coast.

Jockey Gary Geran will partner two of the family runners over the two-day carnival after he recently ended 12 months of retirement when he rode at Warra last month.

The eight-year-old Without Revenge recorded his third win for the stable in the Nanango Cup on August 9 and is coming off a last start fifth to Encoder in a 1600 metre Open Handicap at Eagle Farm on August 23.

“He’s an on-pace horse and was really good when he won the Nanango Cup,” co-trainer Corey Geran said.

“I took him to Brisbane for his last run and he only got beaten a couple of lengths which is very good form for Birdsville.”

The Gerans also hope to land a winner or two on Friday with On Hold in the Big Red over 1000 metres and Never Give Up in the Class 5 Handicap over 1200 metres.

The six-year-old On Hold placed at Toowoomba and Nanango before a fading fifth to the Sharon Pomerenke-trained Palawa Kani in a 1000 metre Benchmark race at Dalby on August 19.

“Her last run was a lead-up for Birdsville and she’s been going well,” Corey Geran said.

“She’s a good chance as she’s very fast and should find the front.”

Never Give Up is another former Vandyke galloper and has won five of his 23 starts.

But, his recent form has been below par although he improved with a last start sixth, beaten just over two lengths in a 1200 metre Benchmark race at Toowoomba on August 23.

“He had a big weight at Toowoomba and was caught wide,” Corey Geran said.

“He should run well in a Class 5.”