McGovern hopes claim can end Tempo's run of placings

By Glenn Davis

Townsville trainer Terry McGovern is hoping Tempo can end a frustrating run of placings and the disappointment of not securing a Country Stampede Final berth with an overdue victory at Home Hill on Tuesday.

McGovern was hoping Tempo would qualify for the $105,000 Country Stampede Final at Doomben on Saturday when he sent the seven-year-old to Cooktown earlier this month in a last ditch bid to qualify.

However, Tempo could only manage third in the 1000 metre qualifier behind the Sharlee Hoffman-trained Phantom Spirit.

It was Tempo’s fifth straight placing and continues his run of outs since his last win at Home Hill in November last year.

Ironically, it was Tempo who gave McGovern one of his biggest thrills with his first city starter when he ran in last year’s Country Stampede Final, finishing eighth to the Pat Webster-trained Dynamic Verse.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t qualify him for this year’s Country Stampede Final after he made it last year,” McGovern said.

“They’ve been going a bit too quick for him lately but he’s been consistent and has been on the podium in his last five runs.

“He’s back in grade and he’s got a big weight but he’s used to it as I’m 85kgs and he carries me every day in track work.”

McGovern, who has six horses in work, has booked promising apprentice Brodie Moffat to help off-set the gelding’s massive weight of 66.5kgs.

Moffat is striking at 22 per cent with 13 wins from only 59 rides since he started his career earlier this year.

In the current season, he has a 20 per cent winning strike rate with 10 wins and three placings from 50 rides.

“We were looking for a good apprentice and we’ve been watching Brodie lately,” McGovern said.

“It’s exciting to see him finally ride up north and he looks a gutsy little rider.”

McGovern was disappointed with Tempo’s outside barrier draw and wants Moffat to ride him for luck.

“He normally goes fast and likes to be near the leaders but he has won coming from last,” McGovern said.

“From the barrier we’ll just have to ride for luck.”