Congratulations to our friends the Koch's and the Maltan's (and other connections) who hopefully spent last night celebrating the great win of their horse, Havana Wind in the North Queensland Cup! Well done guys - we had a drink at home to help celebrate!!!
The following story was ran in the Townsville Bulletin:-
Havana Wild Storms Home
Craig Baxter - The Townsville Bulletin
June 17th, 2009
VETERAN stayer Havana Wind breathed new life into a flagging career with his shock win in yesterday's $20,000 RSL North Queensland Cup (1630m) at Cluden Park.
Rank outsider Havana Wind ($61) floored punters as he broke a winning drought stretching back to the 2007 Innisfail Cup. Cairns trainer Fred Wieland admitted to surprise at the eight-year-old's sudden return to form.
"He was nearly off to pony club if he didn't perform today," Wieland said. "He's been very frustrating, I don't know why he hasn't won a couple more races before now. "Hopefully it doesn't take him two years to win another one."
Havana Wind before yesterday had failed to flatter in two runs from a spell, albeit over unsuitable distances.
After bucking at the start and virtually taking no part over 1250m at Cairns last month, he had been 12th of 13 behind Andamon over 1200m at last week's Parry Nissan Great Northern meeting.
"I thought it was a fair run here the other day, but I didn't think he could beat these horses today," Wieland said. "He was going to go to the Laura Cup but I might have to come back here now."
Former Sydneysider Havana Wind – who despite his long run of outs went into yesterday's race with career earnings of $267,000 – enjoyed a lovely run in midfield for apprentice Justin Wood in the non-claiming race.
The Spinning World gelding had a half-length to spare on the post from Mackay visitor Cockaigne ($2.70 fav) with the same margin to third placegetter Xaartrik ($5.50). Cockaigne hit the line strongly in a nice trial for Saturday week's $100,000 Rockhampton Cup (2000m).
The following story was ran in the Townsville Bulletin:-
Havana Wild Storms Home
Craig Baxter - The Townsville Bulletin
June 17th, 2009
VETERAN stayer Havana Wind breathed new life into a flagging career with his shock win in yesterday's $20,000 RSL North Queensland Cup (1630m) at Cluden Park.
Rank outsider Havana Wind ($61) floored punters as he broke a winning drought stretching back to the 2007 Innisfail Cup. Cairns trainer Fred Wieland admitted to surprise at the eight-year-old's sudden return to form.
"He was nearly off to pony club if he didn't perform today," Wieland said. "He's been very frustrating, I don't know why he hasn't won a couple more races before now. "Hopefully it doesn't take him two years to win another one."
Havana Wind before yesterday had failed to flatter in two runs from a spell, albeit over unsuitable distances.
After bucking at the start and virtually taking no part over 1250m at Cairns last month, he had been 12th of 13 behind Andamon over 1200m at last week's Parry Nissan Great Northern meeting.
"I thought it was a fair run here the other day, but I didn't think he could beat these horses today," Wieland said. "He was going to go to the Laura Cup but I might have to come back here now."
Former Sydneysider Havana Wind – who despite his long run of outs went into yesterday's race with career earnings of $267,000 – enjoyed a lovely run in midfield for apprentice Justin Wood in the non-claiming race.
The Spinning World gelding had a half-length to spare on the post from Mackay visitor Cockaigne ($2.70 fav) with the same margin to third placegetter Xaartrik ($5.50). Cockaigne hit the line strongly in a nice trial for Saturday week's $100,000 Rockhampton Cup (2000m).
