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Long-range Cleveland Bay target for Mega D'Oro

30 October 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Team Simmons is confident former Brisbane sprinter Mega D’oro can continue his outstanding north Queensland form in Cairns on Wednesday ahead of a Summer Provincial Series campaign in the State’s south.

Mackay-based trainer Tracy Simmons will make the nine-and-a-half-hour float trip to Cannon Park racecourse with three runners including Mega D’oro in the Carlton-Mid Open Handicap (950m).

Her husband, jockey David Simmons, will ride the seven-year-old along with stablemates Proane in the Class Three Plate (1400m) and Belorum in the Class Six Plate (1250m).

Mega D’oro is easily the stable flagbearer having won six times for Simmons this season including his past two starts at Townsville and Rockhampton.

Rockhampton

XXXX GOLD Handicap 1200m

Mega D’oro has won 12 of his 48 starts including six for Simmons who only began training four years ago.

Simmons is the sister of prominent Mackay trainer John Manzelmann.

She only trained two winners last season after being sidelined with a serious knee injury.

“I went to the Ewan races last year and broke my knee when I slipped out of the truck,” Simmons said.

“I did my cruciate ligament and had to have a knee reconstruction which meant I had to curtail training for a while and we only limited staff.

“I have to go back for another operation in December.”

Simmons is confident of another strong performance form Mega D’oro who was originally trained in Brisbane by Steele Ryan.

“He’s drawn barrier five so he should be able to lead from there,” Simmons said.

“My other two have been working well and I’m expecting them to be competitive as well.”

Simmons will target the Summer Provincial Series with Mega D’oro whose owners sent him north following a short stint with Victorian trainer Clay Vidotto.

“He went from Steele Ryan to Clay Vidotto in Victoria and then his owners sent him up to me to try to get him ready for the Cleveland Bay in Townsville,” she said.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t make the field and was first emergency.

“The long-term goal with him is the Cleveland Bay next year but in the meantime, we will focus on the Summer Provincial Series.”

Queensland Racing’s Summer Provincial Series comprises six $20,000 heats commencing with the Sunshine Coast meeting on November 4.

Other venues are Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Ipswich and Dalby before a $100,000 final at Doomben on December 29.

Racing Queensland webnews   October 29