Aspen Lad back to his best for Townsville showdown

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Darryl Johnston has declared Rockhampton flyer Aspen Lad is back to his best and he is confident of turning the tables on rival Family Star in the Open Handicap at Townsville on Saturday.

Both sprinters are making their comebacks in the 1000 metre dash which has attracted a small field of five including last start winners Lily Ofthe Glen and Higher Realm.

Family Star and Aspen Lad have met once previously with the Graham Hughes-trained top weight proving superior in a Benchmark race at Cluden Park in April last year.

It was Aspen Lad’s final appearance of his last campaign when the five-year-old went down by two lengths to Family Star.

Johnston believe the weights now favour Aspen Lad, who has started 17 times for six wins and five placings.

“He’s first-up but he’s trialled well and he seems to be close to his best,” Johnston said.

“There’s a lot of rain predicted which could make things interesting.

“He’s had four goes on the soft for two wins and the only time he’s been on a heavy track was when he was a two-year-old when he was beaten by Kisukano at the Sunshine Coast.

“He ran second to Family Star at his last run in April and gave away six kilos and he’s meeting him on better terms this time.”

Johnston is hoping to give Aspen Lad a couple of runs before aiming him for the Townsville Lightning during the northern winter carnival.

“We tried to get him into the Lightning last year but he got stuck under the fence in the enclosure at Mackay one day and flipped over,” the Central Queensland trainer said.

“It took a couple of runs for him to come right and he’s fine now.

“He’s going as good as he’s ever gone now and at the weights, he’ll be very hard to beat.”

Johnston’s confidence, however, is matched by rival trainer Hughes, who is hoping Family Star can earn a start in the Cleveland Bay Handicap in Townsville in July.

Family Star hasn’t raced since beating the Joanna Hassett-trained Zouvilla in a 1300 metre Open event at Cluden Park in August last year.

Hughes took over the training of Family Star from Brisbane trainer Lindsay Gough 12 months ago and the six-year-old has won four of his 11 starts in North Queensland.

“He’s had a trial and ran second and I’m very happy with him,” Hughes said.

“There’s a couple of nippy ones in the race like Aspen Lad and Lily Ofthe Glen who go like the clappers.

“He’s only having a few runs this campaign as his owners want to build up his rating so he can get into the Cleveland Bay later in the year.

“He can be a quirky horse but he’s got plenty of ability.”