By Garry Dell
Top galloper Smart Image gave veteran Cairns trainer Trevor Rowe his first city winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trevor trains in partnership with his son Peter.
Trevor said Smart Image had been in Brisbane for several weeks and he had "racked up some frequent-flyer points" with return trips between runs.
"He missed the kick in the Bribie Handicap a week ago but still finished within four lengths of the winner at his first run since the Cairns Amateurs," Trevor said.
"Jockey Damien Thornton was able to lead from the rails barrier draw on Saturday and told us after the race that he was 'giggling' at the 600 metre mark when the horse was travelling so well."
The 65-year-old Trevor has been training for close to 40 years, the past 20 professionally after retiring from his career as a butcher.
Peter joined him in a training partnership in November last year.
Smart Image, a six-year-old gelding, has a record of 12 wins with four placings from his 35 starts.
He won at Warwick Farm and Rosehill as a two-year-old, Canterbury as a three-year-old and Doomben as a four-year-old before Cairns retiree Cliff Little bought him in an online auction for $27,500.
He's since won three races at Cairns and four at Townsville.
"Because he was a Magic Millions graduate as a yearling, we are targeting a couple of races at the Magic Millions in January," Trevor said.
"He might have another run in between if we think he needs it."