Manzelmann stable loads up for Brisbane

By Glenn Davis 

Fresh from his Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival dominance, Mackay trainer Lachie Manzelmann is now razor-focused on the Country Stampede and Country Cups Challenge Finals at Doomben in December.

Manzelmann will launch a three-pronged attack on the Country Stampede qualifier at Innisfail on Saturday as he bids to win the $105,000 Brisbane Final for the first time.

The 27-year-old conditioner had a starter in last year's Country Stampede Final when King Jester finished 13th behind Smiling Zac.

He also just missed out on winning his first Country Cups Challenge Final last year when Journalism finished second behind Caffrey, with stablemates Sir Rocket and Divine Okay completing his three-pronged attack.

Manzelmann will saddle Contemporary, Outback Action and Upstart Legend in the Innisfail qualifier over 1200 metres and has given punters a lead.

"I think Contemporary is my best chance, but any of the three will go to Brisbane if they win," Manzelmann said.

"I've got a few irons in the fire. I'm trying to qualify a few other horses for the Country Cups Challenge Final.

"But, if we don't win the Stampede qualifier in Innisfail, then we've still got a few more qualifying races up our sleeve."

Contemporary is coming off a last-start fifth behind stablemate Cochrane in a 1000 metre Open Handicap at Cloncurry on October 9.

"I took him out west for his last two runs, but he didn't handle the tracks," Manzelmann said.

"That's why I've brought him back to the grass track at Innisfail.

"He had every chance at Cloncurry, but he got too far back and you can't do that on dirt tracks.

"I originally thought he'd make a Country Cups Challenge horse, but he didn't handle 1400 metres, so I'm dropping him back in distance in the hope he'll make the Country Stampede Final."

Manzelmann is still hopeful either Outback Action or Upstart Legend can qualify through the Innisfail Country Stampede qualifier.

"Outback Action has been racing in super form, but he can be a funny horse and he missed the start when he ran fifth at Townsville," Manzelmann said.

"Upstart Legend finished third last time in Mackay, but she's only in her first year racing in top grade."

Manzelmann's winter dominance in the north included victories with Outback Action in the Mackay Lightning, Journalism in the Mackay Cup, Red Hot Lizzie in the Mackay Newmarket and The Driller in the Cairns Amateur Cup, while Cochrane claimed the Cairns Lightning.