Michael Geaney lapping up moments of madness

By Jordan Gerrans

It has been a big few weeks in the training career of Townsville’s Michael Geaney.

He has ticked off three sizeable milestones that he has been working towards for some time.

Last Friday at Cluden Park, perennial maiden performer March Madness finally won a race at his 31^st attempt.

A week prior, Geaney travelled his first galloper to the city when From This Moment went around at Doomben and the mare was far from disgraced over 1350 metres to finish fourth and be beaten by a touch over a length.

During the southern raid, From This Moment was stabled alongside harness racing megastar Leap To Fame at Grant Dixon’s famous Tamborine training complex.

The Geaney and Dixon families have long been close associates following their connection through the old days of the North Queensland harness racing circuit.

March Madness and From This Moment return to Cluden Park on Thursday afternoon and the 38-year-old Geaney is optimistic that they are both winning chances.

“You just know you're in the presence of greatness when you're there,” Geaney said about his horse rubbing shoulders with the legendary Leap To Fame.

“My father did a lot of work with Grant’s father Billy.  So, they've all been family friends and I was very grateful they opened their stable up for me 

“They allowed me to do what we had to do prior to them starting work in the morning.”

The non-winning run of March Madness had been a topic of conversation in North Queensland racing circles for some time.

The four-year-old gelding has plenty of talent, but Geaney has had to manage the gallopers quirks while also having to ride him in a specific way so the horse would keep his mind on the job.

He placed on 12 occasions and often started well-supported in the market before finally winning on Friday of last week.

The son of Dubious scored by almost two lengths but as Geaney notes, March Madness had a fair look around approaching the winning post and the trainer did wonder if he was going to slow up near the finish.

March Madness heads to the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1400 metres on Thursday as the North Queensland horseman hopes his curious galloper has taken some confidence from his maiden-breaking triumph.

“He's a tricky horse to ride at times,” Geaney said.

“Wanderson D'Avila seems to have the key to him at the moment and I was glad to be able to book him again.

“I had him nominated in two different races, but the 1400 metre race should suit better as it’s a little bit smaller field. 

“That way, if he does end up out the back, he can be a little bit closer.

“I was determined to win a race with him. He was always going to get one, it was just a matter of when.

“When he kicked clear I half expected him to put the brakes on and I waited until he crossed the line before I cheered.”

Geaney claimed the time-honoured Townsville Cup back in 2018 with Lady Skills.

He has prepared some other top gallopers over his tenure in the game, but he had never taken a horse to the city before From This Moment’s trip to town last month.

Starting at $101, From This Moment ran into fourth in the Fillies and Mares No Metro Wins Handicap over 1350 metres with Ron Stewart in the saddle.

Considering the Townsville mare started from the widest starting position on offer, it was a more than credible effort.

The six-year-old mare returns to her home track on Thursday in the Open Handicap over 1400 metres and Geaney has some Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival plans in mind with From This Moment later this year.

“We'll just go to the carnival, depending on where she lies and the rating points,” he said. 

“She missed out on the 2025 carnival due to injury. The fillies and mares look quite nice at the moment, them races.

“But, it wouldn't surprise me if we do get a couple of wins under the belt once we do stretch her out to the mile and beyond.

“That will get her ratings up. That's when I believe we'll start seeing the best of her. 

“She's always been one that we thought could win a Cup.”