Massingham not ruling out a three-pronged attack for Cleveland Bay

By Glenn Davis

Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham is going all out to defend his Cleveland Bay Handicap crown with a possible three starters in the $100,000 sprint in Townsville on Saturday week.

Massingham won the Cleveland Bay for the first time last year with veteran sprinter Speed Legend who will attempt to retain his title as a 10-year-old this year.

His other Cleveland Bay hope Lean Eagle will line-up against stablemate Line ‘Em Up Loui in the Cape Cleveland Handicap at Townsville on Saturday.

“At this stage I’ll have two starters in the Cleveland Bay with Speed Legend and Lean Eagle but I’ll need to speak to the owner about running Line ‘Em Up Loui if he wins the Cape Cleveland,” Massingham.

“I only threw Line ‘Em Up Loui into the Cape Cleveland as there’s not many suitable races around for him.

“The Cape Cleveland is normally the consolation race for the Cleveland Bay and run on the same day but it’s been changed this year.”

Instead, the Cape Cleveland now carries a golden ticket entry to the winner for the Cleveland Bay.

Massingham is hoping for an improved run from Lean Eagle who has disappointed him in his three starts since winning at Townsville back in April.

“I’m putting blinkers on him as he’s been a bit disappointing lately,” Massingham said.

“He’s been getting off the bridle and not concentrating.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while after he won five straight.”

Lean Eagle finished second to the Lachie Manzelmann-trained Outback Action in the Mackay Lightning three starts back before failing in Townsville and then finishing third to Spirit Meister in an Open at Cairns on July 23.

“The Mackay track is small and didn’t suit him in the Lightning and he was disappointing in his last two runs,” Massingham said.

“He’s a better horse than that and I think he can win the Cape Cleveland.”

Massingham believes Line ‘Em Up Loui has a bright future but doubts he’d make the Cleveland Bay on his current rating.

“He’s only a 71-rater at the moment and is a Class Five horse so he probably wouldn’t get into the Cleveland Bay unless he wins,” he said.

“He’s an up-and-coming horse and is a winner but I’ll need to talk to his owner about starting him in the Cleveland Bay if he wins the Cape Cleveland.”