THE trainer-jockey combination of Jared Wehlow and Brad Pengelly will be in the thick of QTIS action at Callaghan Park, Rockhampton on October 19.
Wehlow had engaged Pengelly to ride his two QTIS competitors - Esqueleto (Red Elemant-Covero) and Keptinthedark (Golden Archer-Tube Ride) in the divisions of the Three-Year-Old Maiden (1050m).
Esqueleto has started once, running third against similar maiden grade in Mackay on October 5 when Adam Sewell was the jockey.
Esqueleto prepared for his race day debut with barrier trials at Callaghan Park and Yeppoon, winning once and running second in the other.
Craiglea Lizzy and Bonny's Treasure are other runners to have posted placings. The former, trained on the Sunshine Coast by Krystle Johnston, has earned $37,800 from nine placings in his 15 runs, the most recent of which was a third at Townsville on September 5.
Bonny's Treasure ran second at Callaghan Park in February but has not finished closer than fourth in any of his subsequent outings.
Keptinthedark was placed in consecutive placings in Rockhampton in February and March before running sixth at Mackay in April.
Wehlow prepared Keptinthedark for his racing comeback with a trial at Yeppoon on September 26 when he scooted over the 900m course to win in 53.98seconds.
Pengelly also holds riding bookings for Cavellton, Don't Doubt Maeve and Talk'emaround.
The favourite is likely to be the Garnet Taylor-trained Flying Blonde (Chosen To Fly-Nero Velluto). His only three starts have yielded two placings, the first of which was a third at Callaghan Park on August 29 and the most recent at Gatton on October 4.
Three Stripes, a trial winner in advance of his debut, is also favoured by form students.
Fly-in jockey Les Tilley has a full book of six rides - Conca Del Sogna (Carly-Mae Pye Memorial), Mutomba (Chevron Steam Laundry), Golden Treasure (First Maiden), Three Stripes (Second Maiden), Humble And Kind (Maiden Plate) and Gypsy Biker (Class 2 Handicap).
At Thangool, Krystle Johnston has four stable hopes engaged - Craiglea Warkat in the Benchmark 50 (1600m) and Craiglea Hussy, Craiglea Oscar and Craiglea Rafferty in the Back Roads Maiden Plate (800m).
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
