Wieland keen for Stadium Of Light's return

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Fred Wieland won’t be expecting anything flash from Stadium Of Light when the former Adelaide gelding makes his long-awaited comeback at Cairns on Thursday.

Stadium Of Light hasn’t raced for seven months since finishing eighth to Rogue Bear in the Cairns Cup in August of last year.

Wieland gave Stadium Of Light an extended break after his Cairns Cup defeat and is hoping the seven-year-old can make his way to the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival this year.

The 68-year-old trainer offered no excuses for Stadium Of Light’s defeat in the Cairns Cup and intends to head down a path toward the Townsville Cup later this year with him.

“He was beaten by better horses on the day in the Cairns Cup, but he ran a good race in it,” Wieland said.

“I gave him a decent break in the paddock this time and the plan is to get to the winter races if he comes up to the mark.

“I don’t see why he can’t run 2200 metres although he’s probably more efficient over 1800 metres.

“A lot of water has to flow under the bridge first, but I’d like to get him to the Townsville Cup.”

The Townsville Cup and the Cleveland Bay Handicaps are the only major North Queensland features that has eluded Wieland in his 36-year training career.

Stadium Of Light’s form prior to the Cairns Cup was strong with three wins and as many placings including his third to stablemate Perovic in the Cairns Amateur Cup last year.

Stadium Of Light was bought by North Queensland’s biggest owner Tom Hedley and is one of a dozen horses he owns in Wieland’s barn of 18.

Wieland believes Stadium Of Light will need his Cairns hit-out after his long lay-off.

“He’s missed a fair amount of work with all the wet tracks we’ve had here,” Wieland said.

“He’ll run an honest race, but he’ll need the run, but he’s got to start off somewhere.”

Wieland’s stable apprentice Lauren Guernier, who claims two kilograms, will pilot Stadium Of Light in his return to racing.