Northern Pride bids for Cleveland Bay

By Glenn Davis

Bowen trainer Tom Button is hopeful his Tony Gollan cast-off Northern Pride can book a start in the Cleveland Bay Handicap in August when the gelding makes his open company debut at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Tuesday.

Northern Pride will be Button’s sole runner in the 1200 metre Open Handicap after deciding to abandon his two-pronged attack with Ocean Emperor who will be reserved for the Lightning Handicap at Mackay on Thursday.

The winner of the Open Handicap on Tuesday at Cluden gains an automatic entry for the Cleveland Bay, which is regarded as the Stradbroke Handicap of the north for local trainers.

Northern Pride – a Lacey Morrison mount – is chasing a hat-trick of wins following dominant victories in Townsville in May and June.

“He’s been racing well and if he can win this, he’ll automatically make the field for the Cleveland Bay,” Button said.

“His rating is too low to get into the Cleveland Bay so this is his big chance.

“He’s come back a better horse this campaign and both his recent wins were very good.

”I think he’s got a fair bit of ability and he should race well again.”

Button paid $20,000 for Northern Pride at an online auction after champion Brisbane trainer Gollan felt he was just below Brisbane grade.

“I spoke to Tony after I bought him online and he gave him a big wrap but he felt he just wasn’t up to Brisbane standard,” Button said.

Button is hopeful Northern Pride can continue his current form as he attempts to win the Cleveland Bay for a second time following Heartbreak Harry’s win in 2017.

“He’s won a couple at the Sunshine Coast and he’s placed at Eagle Farm so he deserves his chance in the Cleveland Bay if he wins,” Button said.

Button also has high hopes for stable mates Hand Grenade in the QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap and Super Freeze in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Hand Grenade is coming off an all the way win on a heavy track at Cairns on June 1 while Super Freeze is another ex-Brisbane sprinter who strolled home by more than five lengths in a maiden at Townsville on June 23.

“It looks a good race for Hand Grenade but Clinton Taylor’s looks the one to beat while Super Freeze is stepping out of a maiden win as well but he’s got a lot of ability,” he said.

“I’ve also got Our Benefit in that race but Super Freeze is the pick of them.”