Vadamos Queen to give rookie trainer his biggest win in Cairns Amateur Cup

By Glenn Davis

There will be no prouder man in North Queensland than retired local legend Errol Sewell if former Sydneysider Vadamos Queen wins the Cairns Amateur Cup on Saturday.

Sewell, 85, is a five-time Townsville Cup-winning trainer and claimed just about every Cup feature in the state’s north before he officially retired at the start of the new racing season.

His grandson Rhein, 23, has taken over the training duties and pulled off a fairytale result when Vadamos Queen gave him his first winner with his second starter in the Belle Of The Daintree at Cairns’ Cannon Park last month.

“I think Vadamos Queen is a very good chance of winning for young Rhein and I’d be very proud of him if he wins the race,” Errol said.

“Rhein is a good kid, a great worker and he’s got a lot of interest in racing.

“I’m retired now but I still have an interest helping him out around the stables.”

Vadamos Queen gave Rhein his second win in a Class Three over 1840 metres at Home Hill on August 27.

“Her last win was very good when Justin Stanley rode her,” Rhein said.

“She was taken out of her comfort zone and had to do a lot of chasing and worked hard for her win.

“Unfortunately, Justin has another commitment at Thangool and can’t ride her so Scott Sheargold is on her this time.”

Vadamos Queen was a $10,000 buy at an Inglis online sale after a short career in Sydney with Annabel Neasham.

She is now raced in a family partnership with Rhein Sewell, his parents Darin and Karen, brother Ruaeke and sister Briana.

“We bought her when she was in Brisbane and she came to us in great order,” Rhein said.

“I haven’t had to do a lot with her but she’s given me a great start to training.”

Rhein regards himself as a hobby trainer as he works in the car industry selling paint products and only has three horses in work.

“I’ve had a lot of help from my family but it’s an expensive game, so I’ve got no plans yet to take up training full time,” he said.