By Garry Dell
Townsville trainer Tony Comerford is hopeful he has something special in recent addition to his stable Xtrayya which has won his first two starts at Cluden.
The four-year-old gelding by New Zealand sire Xtravagant has displayed great fighting qualities in narrow victories over 1000 metres on February 3 and again on Tuesday.
'He's only a little fella but he's got a big heart and a ton of guts," Comerford said.
"I was impressed with the way he fought on for Ash Butler first-up with the big weight of 62.5 kilograms and again for Graham Kliese with 60 kilograms this week.
"He was entitled to give in a bit in both runs but he was strong to the line.
"I don't know how far he'll get but time will tell.
"Whether he will measure up against likely stronger opposition come northern winter carnival time we'll just have to wait and hope."
Formerly with Dan McCarthy at Wangaratta in Victoria, Xtrayya won first-up on a Heavy 10 home track in August last year and had three unplaced runs before being bought by a group of owners associated with other Comerford-trained gallopers Hell Of A Boy and Victory For Us.
"I think the owners paid about $14,000 for him, so he's already recouped their outlay," Comerford said.
"With three of the four horses in my stable, I suppose you could almost regard me as a private trainer for a great bunch of owners.
"Victory For Us won his maiden at Cluden during his last preparation and has been a bit unlucky in his four starts this prep with three seconds and a third after almost a years break."
A self-confessed "bushie" from Western Queensland, Comerford grew up in Mt Isa and became an electrician before travelling throughout North Queensland and linking up with trainer and Townsville "tyre king" Jon Petersen almost 30 years ago.
"I worked with John at Cairns, Townsville and down the Gold Coast and learnt a lot from him," he said.
"John won a 2YO Classic with Mr Marumo and a host of other races over the years.
"I won a Cairns Amateurs Cup with Rocknet in 2016, a Cleveland Bay Handicap with Deadly Choices in 2020 and last year's Winter Cup at Cluden with his half-sister Deadly Diva.
"Both Deadly horses were trained at Mt Isa by my good friend Damien Finter and they were transferred into my care for racing at Cluden.
"Unfortunately Deadly Diva bowed a tendon winning the Winter Cup and was retired to stud."
Comerford has been employed in a Townsville pump business for the past 10 years and is satisfied with a small team at this stage in life.
"It gives me the opportunity to combine full-time work and training without too many hassles," he said.