Townsville Lightning win could be timely pick-up for local owners

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Ben Williams is hopeful talented sprinter Molongle Surprise can give grazier Trevor Davies a timely pick-up with a first-up win in the Lightning Handicap at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Thursday.

Molongle Surprise - who is a six-year-old - has been lightly raced, starting seven times for five wins and two placings, and is having his first start since claiming a Benchmark 70 race at Townsville last September.

Williams paid $20,000 for the son of Bel Esprit at the QTIS March sales at the Gold Coast on behalf of owner Trevor Davies and wife Gloria.

The Davies’ run a cattle property at Gumlu, half way between Home Hill and Bowen in North Queensland, and have been long time supporters of Williams - who is a former labourer and concreter in his pre-training days.

“Trevor and Gloria are two of the best owners I’ve trained for,” Williams said.

“They never interfere and let me do things my way.

“Trevor is in his 80’s now and it’s unfortunate he’s fallen a bit ill lately so hopefully Molongle Surprise can win for them.

“They live near Molongle Creek at Gumlu and they name all their horses Molongle something.”

Williams revealed Molongle Surprise’s career has been restricted due to a stifle injury.

“Not long after we bought him, we found he had a crook stifle,” he said.

“It took us a long time to find out what was wrong with him so we sent him to the Gatton vet clinic.

“It cost us a small fortune to send him down there but they found the damage after running a dye through him.

“Luckily, it turned out to be more cartilage damage in his hind leg than anything more serious and it hasn’t affected him too much.

“He just gets a little sore at times so we have to manage him carefully.”

Williams has a team of 16 in work at Townsville and a similar number in pre-training at his former base at Charters Towers.

“He’s a super horse and he’s had plenty of work for this race,” Williams said.

“He was in pre-training for up to eight weeks at home in Charters Towers and he’s coming to hand at the right time.

“The Lightning is full of "A graders" but I don’t think it’s one of the strongest Lightning's we’ve seen.

“He’s had two barrier trials and a jump out in between so hopefully he’ll run well.”