'Team Rowe' begin quest for Country Stampede redemption

By Glenn Davis

The father-and-son training partnership of Trevor and Peter Rowe begin its quest for Country Stampede Final redemption at Gordonvale on Saturday.

Co-trainer Trevor Rowe will saddle Zi Win and Loud Noise in the Country Stampede qualifier over 1100 metres.

Trevor believes Zi Win is underrated and is hopeful the seven-year-old can qualify for the $105,000 Country Stampede Final at Doomben on December 6.

Stablemate Loud Noise is ineligible for the Country Stampede Final as he hasn’t met the qualifying conditions of five country starts in the 12 months since November last year.

Loud Noise finished fifth to Missile Thunder in a 950 metre Open Handicap at Cairns on Tuesday and Trevor has declared he’ll back-up at Gordonvale.

“He’s been very consistent and he’s as honest as the sun comes up each day, but unfortunately, he isn’t eligible as he hasn’t met the five country meetings guidelines in the past 12 months,” Trevor said.

“He’s a nice old horse and is sound as a bell and he only started on Tuesday because he needed racing.”

The nine-year-old Loud Noise has travelled down to Brisbane twice in the past.

In his first trip, he finished ninth in the Battle of the Bush Final, which was won by the then Craig Smith-trained Art By Concorde at Eagle Farm in June of 2023.

He then returned last December but could only manage 12th to the Raymond Williams-trained Lily Allez in the Country Stampede Final at Doomben.

“He drew the car park in both races,” Trevor said.

Despite his age, Loud Noise is racing as good as ever with a win and three placings from his past six starts in Cairns and Townsville.

A son of Spirit Of Boom, Loud Noise finished a close second in the Cairns Lightning in the middle of August before a similar placing behind the Stephen Massingham-trained Turbeau in a 1250 metre Benchmark race at Cairns on August 23.

Loud Noise is chasing his 10th win for the stable after starting his career with Sunshine Coast trainer Gary Duncan.

Zi Win was also previously trained by Duncan before joining the Rowe barn two years ago.

Since then, then seven-year-old has been a four-time winner in North Queensland.

The seven-year-old son of Winning Rupert has also been a model of consistency with a win and four placings in recent times. 

Trevor has been pleased with his form including his latest effort when third to the Fred Wieland-trained Missile Thunder in a 1200 metre Open Handicap at Innisfail on August 30.

“He’s an excellent chance over 1100 metres and Bailie Baker from Brisbane is coming up to ride him,” Trevor said.

“Bailie is coming home this weekend to see her father, Glen Baker, who has come back up north to live.”