Sir Grace still on track for Rockhampton Cup

By Glenn Davis

Progressive horse Sir Grace remains on track for next month’s $150,000 Rockhampton Cup after recovering from a minor setback.

Sir Grace missed a crucial lead-up to the 1600 metre feature when Warwick Satherley was forced to scratch the gelding from a planned start at Townsville earlier this month.

However, Satherley, has given the green light for Sir Grace to continue his Rockhampton Cup campaign after a sparkling track gallop at Callaghan Park on Tuesday.

Sir Grace will now resume in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 1600 metres in Rockhampton on Friday.

“He had a problem, but it was only minor, so I didn’t want to risk running him in Townsville,” Satherley said.

“It wasn’t serious and he showed he was as good as ever when he worked strongly on Tuesday.”

However, Satherley admits missing a vital run in his Rockhampton Cup preparation was not ideal and fears he could be a run short for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Sir Grace hasn't raced since winning over 1560 metres at Mackay on April 14.

"Stepping up to 1600 metres after such a long break isn’t ideal and he might need the run,” Satherley said.

“I‘ll see how he goes on Friday but at this stage he’s still headed for the Rockhampton Cup.”

Sir Grace was the first horse Satherley saddled as a trainer when he finished fourth in a Rockhampton maiden in December of 2023 and was his first winner after claiming his maiden in Rockhampton in March last year.

The four-year-old has gone on to win seven of his 12 starts including his past three in succession.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast trainer Darryl Hansen is hopeful Demon Award can secure a golden ticket into the $100,000 Rockhampton Newmarket on July 4. 

Demon Award was transferred to Hansen last September from Townsville trainer Les Gordy with the aim of boosting his rating for the winter carnivals in Central and North Queensland this year.

The son of Shamus Award was a bargain buy at $37,500 on the recommendation of a mate of Gordy’s.

Demon Award has found his best form of late with a win and three placings from his past four starts including a last start second to Winston Smurfhill on a heavy Sunshine Coast track on May 30.

“He should be very competitive on Friday and if he can win, he automatically qualifies for the Newmarket,” Hansen said.

“If he doesn’t win, he’ll go back to Les for the Cleveland Bay Handicap.

“His last run was very good when the winner got an easy run and he was left flat-footed when they sprinted.”

Hansen has been a regular visitor to the Central and North Queensland winter carnivals for the past 15 years before missing last year for the first time.

“I’ve taken horses north to Rocky, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns for the past 15 years but I missed out last year because I didn’t have the right horses,” Hansen said.