Manzelmann lays down Cairns Cup challenge to Namazu

By Glenn Davis

Mackay trainer John Manzelmann is hoping the ghosts of a past Cairns Cup bid doesn’t return to haunt his challenge for another title at Cannon Park on Saturday.

Manzelmann is throwing down the gauntlet to Townsville Cup winner Namazu in the 2100 metre feature with Mackay Cup winner Savvy Legend and The Driller.

He also has first emergency Motamayiz sweating on a start to make it a three-pronged attack.

“I’ve won this race three or four times but I don’t think we can beat Namazu,” Manzelmann said.

“I’m not running scared of him but he’s the class horse in the race by far.

“Savvy Legend beat Namazu in the Mackay Cup but that was a once in one hundred chance.”

Namazu gave jockey Ryan Wiggins his first Townsville Cup win when he demolished his opposition by six lengths in the 2000 metre feature at Cluden Park last start.

Manzelmann famously finished second, third and fourth with Knowing Me, San Raymond and Goddess Of Luck in the 2015 edition of the Cairns Cup won by the Janel Ryan-trained Seafight.

Savvy Legend produced a brilliant win over the Ricky Vale-trained Namazu in the 2000 metre Mackay Cup before blotting his copybook finishing 10th in the Townsville Cup last start.

“He got on the wrong part of the track at Townsville and then copped a bad bump on the corner,” Manzelmann said.

“It was a forgive run and he’s a rough chance.”

Manzelmann has moved to boost Savvy Legend’s hopes with the booking of star North Queensland jockey Lacey Morrison.

The champion Mackay trainer believes The Driller is not without his chance after finishing fifth to the Les Gordy-trained Monastery in a 2000 metre Benchmark race at Cluden Park on August 12.

The Driller - a seven-year-old - returned to Manzelmann’s stables in June after a nine-start campaign in the state’s South East with his son, Lachie Manzelmann.

The son of Sea The Stars showed he was up to the better class with a win and five placings under Lachie Manzelmann before returning to the north for a win and two placings from his past six starts.

“He’s going well and is a good place chance if everything goes his way,” John said.

“Hopefully, Motamayiz gets a start as he’s been in good form in easier grades but it’s a big step up to go up against Namazu.”