Fast Train claims first Country Cups Challenge qualifier

By Glenn Davis

It was a popular home town win for the Ryan family when former Caloundra galloper Fast Train claimed the Atherton Cup in Far North Queensland on Saturday.

The Atherton Cup was the first of 16 qualifying races for the Country Cups Challenge Final, to be run at Doomben in December.

Ridden by Shane Pawsey, Fast Train gave trainer Janel Ryan her third Atherton Cup with a dominant win over the Alex Malliff-trained Love On Sunday in the 2000 metre feature.

Her previous Atherton Cup wins were with Gaelic in 2021 and Hilarious Honour in 2016.

Ryan just missed the quinella when former UK-based stayer New King filled the minor placing in third spot.

Ryan’s husband Ronnie, 66, gives valuable assistance around the stable and still rides some track after giving up race riding seven years ago.

Fast Train started his career with Gerald Ryan - winning two races in Sydney - before he was sent to Queensland, where he won another two races with Darryl Hansen at Caloundra.

The seven-year-old has been with the Ryan team since the middle of July and has now won three of his six starts for the stable.

“He’s won the first qualifying race now and he’ll go that way if we can find three more non-TAB meetings,” Ryan said.

“He’s only had two non-TAB races so far, the Atherton Cup and the Banana Cup at his previous start.

“He needs to run in five to be eligible for the Country Cups Challenge Final.

“We’ve only just got the racing calendar so we’ll look around and see what races are available for him in October and November.”

Ryan has made a big name for herself in the north of the state but it hasn't come without a lot of hard work over many years.

Born in the United States, Ryan arrived in Queensland more than four decades ago, spending 11 years in Cairns before moving to the Atherton Tablelands.

She has a stable of 12 in work at Tolga but lives at Atherton, about six kilometres away, where she works as a barber.

“I’ve owned the barber business for 32 years but since COVID I’ve only worked from 9am to 1pm while two other barbers do the rest,” she said.

Ryan has secured a host of Cups at Atherton, Gordonvale, Cairns as well as a Townsville Amateur Cup.

Tutelage gave the stable a fourth win in last year’s Cairns Cup.

Meanwhile, trainer Bevan Johnson claimed the first leg of the Country Stampede with Han Dynasty at Springsure in Central Queensland.

It was the third straight win for Han Dynasty and his eighth win from 16 starts.

Ridden by stable apprentice Tyler Leslight, Han Dynasty strolled home over Roma sprinter Hezhome.

The Country Stampede Final will also run at Doomben in December.