Trainer Trevor Rowe on verge of proudest moment in his career

By Glenn Davis

Veteran North Queensland co-trainer Trevor Rowe has won a host of country feature races but none will be more satisfying if star sprinter Smart Image claims the Newmarket Handicap at Mackay on Friday.

Smart Image – a Lacey Morrison mount – has won six of his seven starts for Trevor, who now co-trains with son, Peter.

The five-year-old has been a sensation in the north after starting his career in Sydney with Peter and Paul Snowden before winning once in eight starts for Queensland’s premier trainer Tony Gollan in Brisbane.

The Cairns-based Trevor has been training for more than 40 years and has won many North Queensland features including the Cairns Cup and Cairns Newmarket in 2016.

“I’ve won a lot of the Cup races but to win a feature with Peter would be super,” the 66-year-old Trevor said.

“Unfortunately, Peter can’t make the trip to Mackay as he’s staying at home to look after the stable.

“Peter has been with me around horses since he was a young boy.

“I’ve got a photo of him and I with Grey Toga, who won the Atherton Cup, when Peter was only four.”

'Team Rowe' only started their training partnership in November last year and have had great success together.

Smart Image was one of the first starters 'Team Rowe' saddled after forming their training partnership, winning first-up on debut for the stable in Cairns on November 13.

The five-year-old had two more wins at Cairns and another at Townsville before making it five straight with a track record breaking win at Cluden Park in the middle of April.

The son of Smart Missile suffered his only North Queensland defeat when beaten a nose by Yes Dream in a 1000 metre Open Handicap in Townsville on May 5.

“He got carted and raced a little wide that day but he only just got beaten,” Trevor said.

“Some say he should have won that day but I think he was beaten by a better horse on the day.”

Smart Image was quick to bounce back to the winning list with a decisive three length margin over Go Getaboy when stepping up to 1300 metres for the first time for 'Team Rowe' at Townsville on May 19.

“He had 10 days off in the paddock after his last win and he’s very well,” Trevor said.

“He’s ticking over nicely but I would have liked to have given him a barrier trial last week but they were cancelled.

“I’m confident he’s good enough to win and he’s been on the water walker every day even though he was in the paddock.”

'Team Rowe' plans to target the Cleveland Bay Handicap and Cairns Newmarket with Smart Image before a possible trip to Brisbane following Friday's Mackay Newmarket.