Massingham hopes his luck with former Victorians continues at Townsville

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stephen Massingham is hoping his luck with tried horses continues with former Victorians Journey Of Song and Aroha Te Mana at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Tuesday.

Journey Of Song will be looking for his first win under Massingham since transferring from Victorian trainer Robbie Griffiths when the four-year-old steps out in the 1200-metre Maiden Plate.

The four-year-old gelding had his first start for Massingham finishing second to Fluttering in a 1250-metre Maiden at Cairns on September 25.

“He’s a nice type and is going okay but I’m putting a tongue-tie on him this time after he over-raced last start,” Massingham said.

“I think both he and Aroha Te Mana will be hard to beat.”

Aroha Te Mana will tackle the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1609 metres after three placings from four starts in north Queensland since moving from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable.

The gelding had two wins and four placings from 11 starts in Melbourne before his stable change and has missed a place only once in four runs for Massingham.

At his most recent appearance, the six-year-old finished third to the Michael Geaney-trained Academy Hill in a 1400-metre Class Four at Cairns on September 25.

Aroha Te Mana was ridden by Chris Whiteley last start but boom apprentice Marnu Potgeiter will take over to utilise his three kilo claim after he received 61.5kgs.

“He’s getting up to his right distance and he’ll be ultra-competitive,” Massingham said.

‘When you look at his Melbourne form, his runs have been around 1400 to 2000 metres so he’s looking for 1600 metres now.

“He had some feet problems after he ran second at his first start for me back in February so I gave him a good break and he’s fine now."

Meanwhile Massingham will give his star galloper The Harrovian his final run at Doomben at the end of the month before he transfers to Tony and Trent Edmonds at the Gold Coast.

The Harrovian made a huge impression to win in his Brisbane debut at Eagle Farm 10 days ago.

It was his 11th win in 13 starts for Massingham.

The Harrovian created history by becoming the first horse to win the Northern Crown Series bonus for stayers last year, collecting a massive $287,000 in prize money with his wins in the Townsville and Cairns Cups last spring.