Modernism on trial for Cairns Cup

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Mark Dale is hoping Modernism will travel the Cairns Cup road next month if the mare breaks through for her maiden Open Company win at Cannon Park on Tuesday.

Modernism is one of four starters from the Dale stable for the Cairns meeting and all will be ridden by Sunshine Coast jockey Morgan Butler.

Modernism was a paltry $1250 buy at an Inglis digital sale and has gone on to earn more than $111,000 in prize money with seven wins and six placings from 24 starts.

The rising seven-old runs in the Open Handicap over 1400 metres and is coming off a brave fourth when ridden for the first time by Butler behind Full Recognition  in a 1250 metre Open event at Cairns on June 12.

“It was an unsuitable distance for her last start but she’s back to her right distance in this and it doesn’t look an overly strong race,” Dale said.

“It looks a very winnable race and if she goes well enough, I’d like to step her up in distance to 2100 metres for the Cairns Cup and Cairns Amateur Cup.

“She’s never gone over 2000 metres or more before but she gives every indication that she can run the trip.

“It’s not the easiest path to take with a horse who has never been over a trip.”

Dale has seven horses in work and is hopeful another cheap buy, Avatea, can break into open company by winning the Class 6 Plate over 1250 metres.

Butler has ridden the four-year-old at his past two wins, with one coming at Innisfail and in an 950 metre Class 6 win in Cairns on June 12.

“He’s only one win away from being in Open Company and his target is the Cairns Newmarket,” Dale said.

“He was only a $2,000 buy and he’s now won more than $80,000.

“He’s drawn well and should go forward and hold a nice spot.

“Morgan will be riding all my four runners. He’s had four rides for me now and has ridden two winners. He’s doing a great job and getting it done.”

Dale moved to Cairns six years ago after a successful stint in Mackay but originally hails from Deagon, on Brisbane’s north side.