Image credit: Caught in the Act Photography
By Glenn Davis
It’s a long haul and big jump in class from Townsville to the famous Magic Millions Raceday, but that’s what trainers Jared Wehlow and Todd Austin are planning for rivals Only Wanna Sing and Star Of O’Reilly who clash in the Magic Millions Country Cup Qualifier at Cluden Park on Tuesday.
Only Wanna Sing will launch jockey Ryan Wiggins’ comeback from injury when he lumps a massive 65.5kgs in the 1200-metre feature.
Wiggins suffered a track mishap and hasn’t ridden since winning on the Ricky Vale-trained Stubai at Rockhampton on October 28.
“Only Wanna Sing has a lot of weight and he’d have to carry too much dead weight if I used an apprentice,” Wehlow said.
“He’s in good form and should be hard to beat but he’s got to carry the grandstand and has drawn the outside barrier 11.
“But he loves Townsville and has won four from four there.
“Ryan is having his first ride back from injury so he won't have to carry much dead weight and it’s his only ride for the day.”
Wehlow has won 12 races with Only Wanna Sing, who started his career in Brisbane with Rob Heathcote before heading to Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and back to Brisbane with trainer Kelly Schweida.
“I’ve always thought he was good enough to go back to Brisbane and if he wins, he’ll nearly have to go down there again as he’ll get too much weight up this area,” Wehlow said.
“If he wins, the plan is to go to the Gold Coast next month for the Magic Millions Country Cup then spell,” he said.