The mid-year holiday is over.
And it was more like a freshen up rather than a relaxing and unwinding vacation that we all pine for at this time of year.
We’re talking about the next star of the Australian Grand Circuit – Terrorway.
The giant gelding returned to work today after a taking a brief two week rest after his highly successful Brisbane Winter Carnival which netted him the Group 1 $100,000 Blacks A Fake and the Group 3 $45,000 4&5YO Championship at Albion Park during the month of July.
Trainer John McCarthy couldn’t allow his latest rising star to spell any longer than two weeks because the start of the new Grand Circuit season is just around the corner.
Terrorway will be set for the Queensland Spring features starting on October 6 with the Group 3 $30,000 Be Good Johnny Sprint at Albion Park, the Group 2 $75,000 Gold Coast Cup at Parklands and the Group 1 $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship at Albion Park on October 20.
“He went back into light work today (Monday) and will build up again for the features in October. Obviously, I would’ve liked to give him more time off but the schedule doesn’t allow that.” McCarthy said.
The Western Terror gelding has become a legitimate big race player for the new season courtesy of his stunning Australian form where he has won 10 of his 14 starts including three features and almost $200,000 in prize money.
Terrorway was an impressive all the way winner of the Group 2 $50,000 Renshaw Cup at Penrith back in April before heading to Queensland for further riches.
The lightly raced pacer has created a huge following to match his massive frame and was unlucky not to be unbeaten during his five starts in Brisbane, Terrorway scorched around the Albion Park oval on debut in a stunning 1:52.6 before scoring a clinical victory at the Gold Coast.
Terrorway then stood tall during the Brisbane Winter Carnival winning the 4&5YO Championship defeating Jack In Flight before never getting any clear racing room in the Sunshine Sprint when a hard held fourth to stablemate Motu Crusader, he made his own luck the following week in the Blacks A Fake when he sat parked outside of Victorian star Smoken Up and outstayed him in a thrilling finish.
“He raced terrific during the carnival and he had to overcome the inside of the second line draw every time, we just had no luck with the barrier draws.
I’m very excited about his future and I’m expecting him to improve more on what he’s already achieved, he’s still growing into his massive body and still learning.
He’s only a six-year-old and he’s only had 20 lifetime starts so he’s still got a long way to go but he’s moving in the right direction. He’s an ideal Grand Circuit type of horse.”
And McCarthy is well placed to pass judgement on what’s required at the elite level considering he’s worked closely with the likes of recently retired world champion Mr Feelgood, dual Miracle Mile champion Be Good Johnny, triple Treuer Memorial winner Washakie plus Cobbity Classic and Trois Frere among others.
The new Grand Circuit season ushers in a different look with the recent retirements of Blacks A Fake and Mr Feelgood while Im Themightyquinn and Smoken Up are facing challenging times in the coming months.
“We’re looking at new challengers all the time but I believe Terrorway can develop into a very serious racehorse if he hasn’t already.
We’ll tackle the spring features in Brisbane first and then we’ll head south for races like the Victoria Cup before concentrating on the Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion.
The next twelve to eighteen months will be a very exciting time for Kevin (Jeavons – owner) and I’m really looking forward to it as well because I’ve got a lot of faith in this horse.”
Terrorway is expected to return in mid-September.
RACING Qld web news by Chris Barsby
Photo by Corey Pearce
