No concern over Cluden Park record for Journalism

By Glenn Davis

Mackay’s Lachie Manzelmann admits Journalism's winless record in five starts at Cluden Park could be seen as a danger sign ahead of the eight-year-old's bid to give the young trainer his first Townsville Cup on Saturday.

However, Manzelmann has shrugged off the stayer's record and is hopeful of continuing his lucky streak in the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

The 26-year-old trainer has won three carnival features so far with wins from Journalism in the Mackay Cup and H.L. Black Memorial while Red Hot Lizzie claimed the Mackay Newmarket in his hometown last month.

A son of I Am Invincible, Journalism was a $13,000 buy for Manzelmann’s father, John, and has hit a purple patch of form after a slow start to his North Queensland career.

“He hasn’t troubled the scorer yet on the Townsville track, but they’ve got to win at some point,” Lachie Manzelmann said.

“It’s just a question of when for him and hopefully his time will come in the Townsville Cup.”

Journalism was previously trained in Sydney by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and there were big expectations on him when he first arrived in North Queensland last year.

However, he did not win in eight starts when he first joined Manzelmann's father and it took another 13 starts under Lachie before he finally broke through for his first North Queensland win at Mount Garnet in May.

Since then, Journalism has rediscovered his best form, winning another three races and placing in three more from his last seven starts.

“He came here with a lot of expectations,” Lachie Manzelmann said.

“He was an expensive yearling and was supposed to be Gai’s next good horse.

“But, he had a few injury problems down south and nothing went his way in a few races there.

“He was really highly rated when he first came to us and I think it’s just been a confidence thing with him.

“Luckily, he’s had no major problems here and he’s gone close to winning a few times before his recent wins.”

Lachie Manzelmann, who merged his training operation with his father last year, is confident Journalism will be competitive in the 2000 metre Townsville Cup.

“There’s not that many horses that have won over 2000 metres and he hasn’t missed a beat since his Mackay Cup win,” he said.

If Journalism wins the Townsville Cup, the gelding will continue to the Cairns Cup and, if successful, will claim a $250,000 bonus for winning the Mackay, Townsville and Cairns Cups.