Sydney winner to make unexpected trip to Thangool

By Jordan Gerrans

With a multiple Sydney city winner on a path towards the Cleveland Bay, part-owner Greg Sturgiss admits to being a bit confused when John O’Sing suggested Marway head out to Thangool.

But, that is where the 2021 Wagga Town Plate champion will go around this Saturday afternoon as one of the best horses to come out of Central Queensland in recent years builds his form back up following an injury lay-off.

Marway was a revelation in Sydney throughout last year, winning at Warwick Farm, on the Kensington track twice before snaring the feature $200,000 Town Plate not long after in devastating fashion. 

His NSW ambitions were derailed by an eye injury and he returned to the Sunshine State, through Gatton to recover, before making his way back to Rockhampton.

It is rare to see a galloper of Marway’s quality head to the non-TAB’s at Thangool and Sturgiss – who bred the gelding – was surprised when O’Sing made the initial proposal.

“We thought it was a bit strange when John suggested it,” Sturgiss said with a smile.

“But, we are going along with it to see how he goes out there.

“He needs to perform really well out there to go on to Townsville for the Cleveland Bay.”

The team originally planned to be contesting Friday’s $75,000 Mackay Newmarket but after an underwhelming performance in the Lightning last week, they decided to change paths.

Carrying a big weight and jumping from a wide barrier on a soft track, the son of Hemingway never troubled them in the finish in the Mackay Lightning.

O’Sing reported the gelding pulled up with sore joints from that run almost a fortnight ago but notes he has worked with no concerns since and everything has gone to plan.

Despite having won almost $450,000 in stakes from 12 career victories, the six-year-old bay will only lug 60.5kgs around Thangool in the Open Plate over 1200 metres.

“The Set Weight race is the only reason we are going to Thangool, with him only getting 60.5 kgs instead of the 64.5 kgs in the Lightning at Mackay the other day,” O’Sing said.

“Weight wise it suits him and he just needs another run, this is only his second start since December of last year.

“He needs another run under his belt.”

Greg, who races the gelding with his wife Elaine and close friends Paul and Barbara Wagner, is hopeful Marway will be able to jump, lead and have enough class to bounce back to winning ways.

Then, the time-honoured Cleveland Bay at Cluden Park will be next on the agenda, which is run as part of the TAB Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

After his last race at Rosehill in early December of last year, it has been a tumultuous journey to get the sprinter back to the track.

“He had a tumour in his eyelid and he was down at the Gatton vet clinic and they did all sorts of things on him to try and fix it up like chemotherapy,” O’Sing said.

“I am just trying to make sure everything is fine with him before we start travelling him long distances.

“He seems to have come through it all well, everyone that rides him at work and in trials seem to think he has come through it ok.”

Experienced CQ trainer O’Sing has no concerns around taking his prized commodity to the bush track.

“He has been around the place before as when he was a baby, we carted him everywhere to try and settle him down,” he remembers.

“He was just a lunatic.

“I am not worried about heading to Thangool, the track is good.”

While Marway has never headed out west to Thangool’s Forde Park to race before, some of his close relatives have, which fills the team behind him with confidence.

A full brother and sister to Marway have both won at the track.

His full-sister – Begs Belief – will join him on the float on Saturday as she aims to win the Benchmark 55 Handicap over the speedy 800 metre trip.

The Sturgiss’ bred the family of gallopers after purchasing Maredamah through the Magic Millions sales.

“All the foals have won except one,” a proud Greg said.

Thangool, a regional Queensland club based inland from Gladstone in the Capricornia racing zone, hosted their first ever TAB race day earlier this year.