Cannon Park specialist set for second Lightning tilt

By Jordan Gerrans

If Cannon Park specialist Desert Cowboy was to win his second Lightning Handicap at the Cairns Cup meeting on Saturday, it would be one of Trevor Rowe’s most treasured memories at the track.

The veteran FNQ trainer has had some special gallopers over the years.

Bar Attack helped launch his career after being purchased as a yearling for $8000 by locals and scoring win 13 wins which led to the purchase of a number of other quality horses including He’s a Ladies Man.

Stayer Chateau Dettori was the first Cairns Cup winner for the home town Rowe stable in 2016.

While Desert Cowboy might not be rated above those now retired gallopers, the nine-year-old is certainly in the conversation.

He already has one Cairns Lightning on his resume from 2019, ran second last year and is aiming to grab another on Saturday.

Rowe’s son Peter, who also trains a team of gallopers, explained the significance of Desert Cowboy to the family and stable.

“I tell you, if Desert Cowboy wins the Lighting, that'll be one of Dad’s highlights,” Peter (pictured) said.

“He's the stable pet, who was nearly retired, and hasn’t carried 58.5 kgs since 2020.”

To win 14 races all up – with eight of those being on the home track at Cannon Park – that kind of record is going to endear “Cowboy” to everyone that works with him.

But, it is not just his strike-rate that the Rowe family and stable appreciate about their old sprinter.

“It is hard to explain why he is so special to us but first and foremost, he is just a lovely natured horse,” Rowe said.

“He has got that affection where he loves for you to come over and give him a pat, he looks in all your pockets as he loves liquorice.

“My grand kids and my wife spoil him and give him liquorice every time they walk past.

“That draws people to him as he has a wonderful personality, he is a lovely horse.

“And, with all that said, he has a lot of ability, as well.”

In 23 runs at Cairns, Desert Cowboy has only missed the money on four occasions.

And, at his favourite trip of the speedy 950 metres at Cairns, he has only missed the top three on three occasions from 18 attempts.

While he has won at Townsville, as well as a number of South East Queensland clubs earlier in his career, it is the home comforts of Cairns Jockey Club that the son of Hayil appreciates. 

“He does not have to travel, he just wanders over, and I do not think he likes to travel as he never really has performed as good in Townsville as he does here,” Rowe said.

“He just walks up to the tie-up stalls; he wanders like a duck and never really gets too excited about anything.

“I do not have a specific reason why he loves Cairns and the 950 metre trip, but he certainly likes it.

“He is just so relaxed at Cairns and while he is still quiet at Townsville, he is just not the same when he travels away.”

With Cannon Park rated a Soft 5 as of Thursday afternoon and with Rowe noting rain is around in FNQ, Cowboy’s fantastic record on the soft and heavy may become crucial on Saturday.

With apprentice Melea Castle’s three kilogram claim, the gelding comes under 60kgs for the first time in a long time.

“Anything that beats him on Saturday will know that they have run a race, that is for sure,” Rowe said.

Although SEQ-based apprentice Castle in the saddle, it would have been stable hoop Krysten Swaffer riding if not for injury.

Apprentice Swaffer is on the comeback trail after needing a shoulder reconstruction following a race fall in May.

Rowe hopes that she will be back at track work within a month and potentially race riding inside eight weeks.

The stalwart trainer of the industry in the north credits his stable apprentice for much of Cowboy’s fortunes over the journey.

“Krysten knows him like the back of her hand and if there is the slightest thing wrong with him, she will come in and tell you,” Rowe said.

“She is a big part of his success over the years and it is a shame that she is out injured at the moment otherwise she would have been on him.

“She is a big part of everything with this horse.”

With a team of nine to race on Cairns Cup day, Rowe rates Investor in the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1250 metres as the team’s best winning chance, outside of their veteran sprinter.