Country Stampede back in Rewald's focus

By Glenn Davis 

It was only a few months back when champion country trainer David Rewald thought there wasn't a horse in his stable good enough to send to Brisbane for next month’s Country Stampede Final at Doomben.

Fast forward to now and the 66-year-old Blackall conditioner has had a change of heart and is hoping Inquisitive Legend can book his ticket in a qualifying heat on his home track on Saturday.

“It’s true that I did think a couple of months ago that I never had one good enough for the final but Inquisitive Legend has turned out okay,” Rewald said.

“She was only a Class Two horse when she first came to me but she’s now gone on to win in open company,” he said.

While Reward has his fingers crossed Inquisitive Legend can win her qualifier, he’s a realist and believes the six-year-old faces a daunting task.

Inquisitive Legend is coming off a last start sixth, beaten just under five lengths, by the Patrick O’Toole-trained Awash in a 1200-metre Open at Longreach last Saturday.

“I was disappointed with her last run and I’m a bit concerned she may have had enough,” Rewald said.

“She appeared a bit sour but if she happens to win I’ll freshen her up for the final in Brisbane.

“She has been racing well until her last run and ran well the start before at Barcaldine after winning at Longreach.

“It’s starting to get a bit hot out this way now and it’s not a good time of the year to race a mare although she’s eating well.” 

Rewald has never had a qualifier for the 1600-metre Country Cups Challenge Final and has only had one finalist for the Country Stampede Final which will be run at Doomben on December 5.

"I've never won either the Country Cups Challenge or Stampede and my only runner in the Stampede was last year with Heyington Station," Rewald said.

Rewald trains a team of nine after injury ended a successful riding career in central Queensland.

He retired from the saddle three years ago after suffering a fractured ankle in a fall at Betoota.

Rewald won his first race as an amateur jockey when he was 15 and went on to win a host of Country Cups including the Birdsville Cup, Betoota, Thangool, Longreach and Yeppoon Cups among others.

Rewald had his first race ride as an amateur jockey when he was 15.