Cooper chasing back-to-back Pallarenda Stakes

By Glenn Davis

Cairns trainer Scott Cooper says he doesn’t like putting his head on the chopping block with two-year-olds.

But, he remains hopeful his debutant Alberta Bound can give him back-to-back wins in the time-honoured Pallarenda Stakes in Townsville on Saturday.

The 52-year-old Cooper claimed last year’s Pallarenda Stakes with Gold Classic who nosed out the John Manzelmann-trained Tarong in a thrilling bob of the head finish.

Alberta Bound is a full-sister to Gold Classic and on trial form will be one of the favourites.

The daughter of Dracarys was a $40,000 buy at the Magic Millions March sales at the Gold Coast and showed early potential winning an 850 metre barrier trial on her home track in Cairns on October 12 by more than six lengths. 

“She won her trial easily, but I would have liked something in the trial to have put more pressure on her as she was a little green,” Cooper said.

“Going into this race she and Gold Classic are at the same level but she’s a little different to Gold Classic.

“Gold Classic was more aggressive than her whereas Alberta Bound is more relaxed.

“She should be thereabouts on her trial win but I don’t like putting my head on the chopping block with two-year-olds.

“A lot can go wrong with them and there’s few unknowns in this race.”

On trial form, Cooper rates the Georgie Holt-trained Better Blitzem and Lyle Wright’s Miss So And So as the main dangers.

“Miss So And So was easily beaten in her first trial in Townsville then came out and won her next trial in Mackay by more than 14 lengths," Cooper said.

“You have to respect winning form and Better Blitzem has won both his trials.”

Cooper was a jockey in Victoria before he headed to Far North Queensland to ride for former Tolga trainer Leon Morton.

Ironically, Morton’s wife Bev is a co-owner in a syndicate of six who races Alberta Bound.

Well-known North Queensland realtor Shelly Lynham, who also part-owns Gold Classic, is another shareholder.

Despite Cooper’s win in last year’s Pallarenda Stakes, he rated his win with Lucky Leni in the Belle Of The Burdekin in Townsville in August as his greatest training triumph since he started training 12 years ago.

Cooper rode for around a dozen years in Victoria before accepting his offer from Morton.

“I was 16 when I started riding in Melbourne and my first ride was at Bendigo,” Cooper said.

“I eventually stopped riding because I got too heavy.”