Master trainer Roy Chillemi after more Townsville features success

By Glenn Davis

The bright orange “H” silks made famous Australia wide by the recently retired The Harrovian and Stradbroke winner Tyzone will take centre stage in both two divisions of the QTIS Pallarenda Stakes at Townsville on Saturday.

Far North Queensland hotelier and property tycoon Tom Hedley owns the colours which will be used on his two-year-old first starters in the 1000 metre Townsville features.

Hedley, who won the 2020 Stradbroke Handicap with Tyzone, is president of the Cairns Jockey Club and has been a dominant force in North Queensland racing for many years.

Tolga trainer Roy Chillemi has trained for Hedley for 35 years and will saddle up five runners in the two Pallarenda features for his major client.

Casual, a son of Husson, and Spirit Of Boom gelding The Wallet will clash in the colts and geldings division while Chillemi launches a three-pronged attack with Free Lady, Purpose ‘N’ Vision and Puss Boots in the fillies division.

Chillemi is shooting for his sixth win in the Pallarenda Stakes after notable recent wins from Tennessee Boy in 2019 and the unbeaten Missile Thunder last year.

Missile Thunder has won all six starts but won’t race again until April next year after undergoing surgery to remove a bone chip following his latest win at Townsville in June.

Chillemi admits the Pallarenda Stakes are “mystery” races with every horse having their first start.

“My horses are going okay but it’s too hard to say how they’ll go against the others,” Chillemi said.

“They’re not in the same class as Missile Thunder but they’ve all trialled well.

“I just want to see how they all go and I’ll bring them on slowly.

“I don’t push young horses too hard early in their careers so I’ll see how they go and take it from there.”

Casual edged out The Wallet in his only barrier trial over 1000 metres at Atherton earlier this month while Purpose ‘N’ Vision was an easy winner on the same day in her trial while Puss Boots finished seven lengths away in third.

Chillemi rates the Bonnie Thomson-trained Salika Diva as the main threat to his trio in the fillies race. 

“Salika Diva won her barrier trial pretty easily at Townsville but her heat was over 850 metres while ours was 1000 metres so it’s hard to gauge them,” he said.