No distance query for Stephen Massingham's Cup runner

By Glenn Davis

Stephen Massingham is hopeful former Sydney galloper Armour Force can overcome a distance query to give him a second Townsville Cup at Cluden Park on Saturday.

Armour Force is raced by the powerful 'Hedley Racing' team and has been in the Massingham stable since he was purchased just over 12 months ago from the Richard and Michael Freedman stable.

The five-year-old failed to win in six starts for the Sydney co-trainers before being moved on to Far North Queensland.

Armour Force is guaranteed a start in the 2000 metre Townsville Cup after gaining automatic qualification following his win in the Magnetic Island Mile at Cluden Park on July 21.

“I’ve got two entered for the Townsville Cup – Armour Force - and Don Arcangelo, who is only a 68-rater and is doubtful to get in,” Massingham said.

Massingham’s only win in the Townsville Cup was with former cult hero The Harrovian in 2019.

“I had two in that year, The Harrovian and an ex-Chris Waller horse called Vassal,” he said.

“I think they were the only two starters I’ve ever had in the Townsville Cup.

“Armour Force is an automatic starter after he won the Magnetic Island Mile which was a ballot free race.”

Massingham has 21 horses in work at his Cairns base and has no doubt Armour Force will acquit himself well as he steps up in distance to 2000 metres for the first time.

“I’ve only stepped him past 1200 metres twice and he won both times over 1400 metres and 1609 metres,” Massingham said.

“His last win was very good when made a long-sustained run and was strong to the line.

“He’s never been over 2000 metres but I see no reason why he won’t get it.”

Jockey Nathan Day has ridden Armour Force through his current campaign. 

A five-year-old son of Fastnet Rock, Armour Force has started 15 times for six wins and four placings.

All six wins have been under Massingham’s care and his only unplaced run in nine starts for the Cairns stable was when he finished sixth over an unsuitable 950 metres on his home track at Cannon Park in May.

Massingham hasn’t dismissed Don Arcangelo’s chances should he scrape into the Townsville Cup field.  

“If Don Arcangelo gets in, he’ll race well as he’s racing a lot better this preparation and he had no luck when he ran fourth in the Winter Cup last start,” he said.

“If he doesn’t make the field, he’s also nominated for the 2000 metre Benchmark 65.”

Don Arcangelo was successful over 2100 metres at Cairns two starts back and is coming off a last start fourth behind Portnoy in the Winter Cup at Townsville on July 29.