John Manzelmann looks to Cloncurry

By Glenn Davis

Trainer John Manzelmann’s quest to claim his maiden Country Cups Challenge Final in Brisbane will continue with a two-pronged attack in a qualifying heat at Cloncurry on Friday.

Also known as the Cloncurry Cup, the Country Cups Challenge heat over 1600 metres is one of several qualifying races for the decider at Doomben in November.

Manzelmann claimed his first Battle Of The Bush Final in Brisbane with Tiger Legend this year and is also hopeful of adding his name to the Country Cups Challenge Final and Country Stampede Final honour boards.

Manzelmann will saddle Sir Rocket, a Paul Hamblin mount, and Valley Of Dreams, who will be partnered by Michael Murphy, in the Country Cups Challenge qualifier.

The Mackay-based trainer has had several Country Cups Challenge finalists over the years but the closest he has finished was two placings.

Manzelmann favours Sir Rocket as the pick of his pair despite the eight-year-old being burdened with 64kgs.

Sir Rocket was a $20,000 buy at an online auction off previous trainer Adam Campton and is chasing a hat-trick of wins following a dominant victory over 1560 metres at Mackay last month.

“His win at Mackay was very good and he’s the pick of my two but he’s got a big weight to overcome that’s why I’ve gone for a heavyweight rider,” Manzelmann said.

Valley Of Dreams lines up for her tenth start this campaign and was a last start fifth, beaten almost five lengths, by Sir Rocket at Mackay.

Manzelmann is also yet to win the Country Stampede Final which is run on the same program as the Country Cups Challenge Final.

However, Manzelmann is pinning his hopes of a breakthrough with Eyewitness or Ruby July.

Eyewitness and Ruby July are bidding to join stable mate Cochrane who has already qualified for the Country Stampede Final.

Manzelmann can’t split his pair.

Eyewitness was beaten less than one length when fourth to Loud Noise at Gordonvale last Saturday while Ruby July finished fifth in the same race.

“There’s nothing between them and hopefully one of them can join Cochrane who is already qualified for the Final,” Manzelmann said.

The Country Stampede Final will be run over 1100 metres and carries prize money of $105,000 at Doomben on November 30 while the Country Cups Challenge Final is worth $200,000 and is run over 1600 metres on the same day.