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Geaney hopes his change of luck continues in Townsville

21 November 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Droughts are not only common place for farmers but also trainers, just ask North Queensland’s Michael Geaney.

Geaney has a strong hand with five runners at the Cluden Park meeting at Townsville on Friday and is hoping his stable can strike form again.

Geaney was a two-horse trainer when he won last year’s Townsville Cup with Lady Skills and has watched his stable numbers grow to nine horses in work.

The 32-year-old still works fulltime as a refrigerator mechanic and regards himself as a hobby trainer.

After struggling for luck since his Cup victory, Geaney recently ended a four-month absence from the winner’s list when Lieutenant Dan won at Townsville on November 5.

Lieutenant Dan will attempt to make it back-to-back wins in the Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap (1000m) where he’ll again be ridden by last start rider Chelsea Jokic.

“It was pleasing to finally win a race again and he’s a very promising type,” Geaney said.

“He got the job done well last start and Chelsea will be riding him again.

“He should run a cracking race again and hopefully spoil the party for Star Banner.”

The Bill Kenning-trained Star Banner is aiming to stretch his winning sequence to four following his latest win at Townsville last month.

“Racing is a strange game. I had two horses when I won the Townsville Cup last year then the stable jumped to nine,” he said.

“For a while there I had no luck with my horses and they just weren’t getting the right runs.

“Now the field sizes are a bit smaller and the runs are coming a lot more.”

Geaney also will start Bracteate and Deputy Dan in the Open Handicap (1200m) and Cinnabarbow and Mosef in the Class One Handicap (1300m).

He rates Cinnabarbow as the stable’s best hope despite the mare’s last start sixth at Home Hill on November 2.

“Cinnabarbow is probably my best chance as she didn’t appreciate the Home Hill track last start,” he said.

“In the other race I probably have to favour Bracteate over Deputy Dan.”

Bracteate led into the straight at his last start at Townsville when runner-up to Mason’s Chance on November 10 while Deputy Dan hasn’t raced since finishing third on a heavy track at Mackay in mid-December.

Racing Queensland webnews   November 21