Clem’s sprinter takes aim at Eidsvold

By Glenn Davis

Bundaberg diehard Gary Clem is hoping his seven-year-old Frosty Bear can win the Country Cups Challenge qualifier at Eidsvold on Saturday.

Clem has ruled out heading to Brisbane for the $200,000 Final if Frosty Bear is successful.

“I’m not aiming him for the Country Cups Challenge Final as it’s 1600 metres and that’s too far for him,” Clem said.

“I’ve had runners in the past in the Country Stampede Final and Battle of the Bush Final, but I’ve never had one good enough for the Country Cups race.

“All my horses are sprinters and I haven’t got one in the stable good enough for the Country Cups Challenge Final.”

Clem has been training for more than four decades.

Jamesatelli ran in the Country Stampede Final in 2023 and the gelding finished 11th to the Corey and Kylie Geran-trained Mahbaby.

He had a runner in the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm in June when Corkscrew finished fifth to Roll Up.

Frosty Bear won the Newmarket Handicap over 1194 metres at Gladstone on August 8 before beating one runner home in a small field of seven behind the Kym Afford-trained Holiday Dreams in a 1090 metre Open Handicap at Bundaberg on September 5.

“He’s been racing well, but he’ll need a lot of luck at Eidsvold over 1350 metres,” Clem said.

“His Newmarket win on the sand at Gladstone was very good when he came from behind, but they went too quick for him at Bundy last start.”

Frosty Bear was a $10,000 buy for owners Brendan and Carol Peterson, who are retired cane farmers from Bundaberg.

“He came to me as a maiden and he’s now in open company, so he’s been a good buy,” Clem said.

Clem still works on the cane farms for Bundaberg Sugar while training a team of five as a hobby.

“I’m tired, not retired,” he said.

“I’m still working flat out for Bundy Sugar and I’ve been doing it for 35 years.

“If I get enough horses, I’ll consider retiring to train full-time, but I don’t want to do that just yet while I’m still healthy.”