Bonus dream alive for Gordy

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Les Gordy is looking forward to the Cleveland Bay with contender Demon Award on Saturday.

Demon Award, who won the Rockhampton Newmarket last month, will carry second topweight of 60kg in the $100,000 feature at Cluden Park.

Gordy and Demon Award are on a quest for the $250,000 Great Northern Crowns bonus after the seven-year-old received 60kg and drew barrier nine for the Cleveland Bay.

"I was worried he'd get too many ratings points for winning the 'Rocky' Newmarket, so I was prepared to miss the Cleveland Bay and to get him ready for the Weetwood instead if he got too much weight," Gordy said.

"I wasn't going to run if he got more than 60kg, but he was given 2.5 ratings points for his 'Rocky' win, which means he'll definitely run in the Cleveland Bay."

Demon Award carried 56kg when he claimed the Rockhampton Newmarket on July 9, which was the first leg of the Great Northern Crowns bonus for sprinters.

Gordy passed up an opportunity to chase the $500,000 bonus, which also was on offer for any horse who won the Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns Newmarkets along with the Cleveland Bay when he bypassed the Mackay leg.

"The Mackay Newmarket was only a week after Rockhampton and I just thought it was a bit too close for him when you consider all the travelling he had to do," Gordy said.

Demon Award ran in last year's Cleveland Bay when he finished a close-up fifth behind the Stephen Massingham-trained Speed Legend, who is defending his title this year.

"He ran a great race last year when he drew the outside barrier and sat three wide and was beaten just over four lengths," Gordy said.

"He's had a barrier trial since his 'Rocky' win and he won it quite well.”

Gordy is hopeful of a better showing from Demon Award in this year’s Cleveland Bay before he tackles the $100,000 Cairns Newmarket on August 28.

“He’ll go to Cairns after the Cleveland Bay and then I want to spell him in Brisbane after he transfers to Darryl Hansen for the (Listed) Weetwood Handicap next month,” Gordy said.