By Garry Dell
Cairns trainer Fred Wieland landed a Cluden Park double in Townsville on Tuesday and staked strong claims to major honours during the upcoming North Queensland winter carnival.
Wieland captured the Benchmark 70 over 1900 metres with Cups contender Star Status and followed that up in the Class 6 with brilliant sprinter Prime Ruler, who made it seven wins from 10 starts, over 1400 metres.
Both horses are in the Tom Hedley ownership group and completed a great day for the team, who quinelled the two-year-old event with Go Getaboy and Heroic Boy, as well as the trifecta in the Class 6.
Prime Ruler passed his acid test with flying colours when he carried 60.5kg to finish too well for Brilliant Mind and three-year-old Palencia under the guidance of regular jockey Ryan Wiggins.
A relieved Wieland said after the race he would be guided by the four-year-old's next start over 1250 metres at Cairns on July 12.
"He was good as was Star Status earlier so it's been a good day all round," Wieland said.
Prime Ruler began well from his inside draw and had the perfect run behind leaders I Dream Of Green and Brilliant Mind with Palencia forced to race three wide.
Wiggins was able to gain a run through on straightening and grabbed the lead near the line to win by a half a length from Brilliant Mind with the three-year-old Palencia a strong third only a nose away.
Wiggins said he was always confident of winning, despite a slight hold-up nearing the 300 metre mark.
"He's a damn good horse," Wiggins said.
"We were always travelling sweetly from the inside draw and it was simply a matter of putting him into the race at the right time.
"I've ridden him a few different ways over his career and he always gives his all.
"He's a real chance in the Cleveland Bay if they decide to go that way.
"If he goes there I hope he gets my weight."
Former South Australian galloper Star Status enhanced his Cups hopes with his strong finishing run to overhaul a brave Stubai in the shadows of the post to score by a head with Boona Boy only a half-length away in third.