Champion trainer Chillemi eyes Northern Jewel

By Garry Dell

Tolga trainer Roy Chillemi admits he will be on tenterhooks over the next two days awaiting acceptances and the barrier draw for the $105,000 Northern Jewel QTIS 3Y0 Handicap feature at Townsville on Friday.

Chillemi has his star Palentino gelding, and nominal favourite, Palencia as equal top weight with 61kg over the 1300 metre distance with the Olivia Cairns-trained Fire King and recent Sunshine Coast winner Isis Carmella.

"My bloke has probably earned the top impost but he's never drawn a decent barrier in most of his runs to date and I'm hoping for better luck in the draw on Thursday," Chillemi said.

"He pulled up well after his last-start narrow win over Fire King the other day and has worked okay since.

"But, he has to carry the full weight with Graham Kliese on board after he won with my three-kg claiming girl Rachel Shred on the reins and doing it fairly tough up front after being used up early from a wide barrier.

"He battled hard in the run home to nose out Fire King, ridden by Ryan Wiggins.

"I'd be happy if he could  draw inside six because he can race handy or even lead if necessary. But it won't be easy against the 54kg weighted ones.

"It's hard to fully assess the dangers at this stage because there's also the unbeaten Yes Dream and Ricky Ludwig's Lord Of Light on 54kg and he rattled home over the 1300 metres last start to finish a close third to us."

Chillemi is coming off a double at Cairns on Monday with Go Getaboy and one of his stable stars Tennessee Boy.

That was on top of a close third with Higher Realm, one of four horses in the Tom Hedley colours who filled the first four placings.

Isis Carmella put together a string of wins in North Queensland (Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton) before being sent to Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted in Brisbane for a stint early this year.

She won a Benchmark 65 at the Sunshine Coast on January 9 and is a winner over 1300 metres at Townsville on August 7 last year.

She goes into the race after two recent trials at Rockhampton.

Fire King followed up his narrow second with a convincing win at Mackay  four days later for young jockey Tyler Leslight, who claimed the full four kg apprentice allowance. 

Tilly's Secret is likely to be among the lightweight contenders after her last-start win at Mackay, when ridden by Montana Philpot, who is the daughter of Gus and the late Donna Philpot.

The filly is in the care of Jared Whelow, who doesn't often miss when he makes the long trek to Cluden Park. 

Acceptances and riders will be declared on Thursday morning.