Caldow Chases Top Queensland Prize

22 October 2014 | Chris Barsby
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Glory: Victorian reinsman John Caldow has an excellent chance in Saturday's Gr.1 QPC at Albion Park aboard the David Lewis trained Abettorpunt

Glory: Victorian reinsman John Caldow has an excellent chance in Saturday's Gr.1 QPC at Albion Park aboard the David Lewis trained Abettorpunt

John Caldow is no stranger to success.

The ace Victorian based reinsman boasts an outstanding record in the sport and possesses a highlight reel to die for which features some of the biggest and best names.

Caldow has eighteen century seasons behind him and amazingly, all in succession starting from the 1991/92 season and ending in the 2008/09 season.

His biggest season in the bike came in the 1998/99 season where he registered his maiden double century term with 238 winners.

Success has come in most states of Australia and Queensland is no exception.

Since the turn of the new century, Caldow has managed 3 wins and 5 placings from 12 starts in Group races in the sunshine state.

And this weekend, the skillful driver will call on all that experience as he attempts to plot his path to glory in the state’s biggest event – the $200,000 Garrards Queensland Pacing Championship at Albion Park this Saturday night.

Caldow will partner the David Lewis trained Abettorpunt but faces a difficult challenge after drawing gate eleven, three off the second-line in the 2680m feature event..

He will follow out behind Victoria Cup winner For A Reason while last week’s Gold Coast Cup winner Avonnova has drawn handily in gate five.

“The draw is not that bad really; I prefer to be there rather than in six or seven or even the inside of the second-line so I’m comfortable with the draw.” Caldow said.

Abettorpunt was excellent in defeat last week when third behind Avonnova and Blazin N Cullen in track record time.

The Bettors Delight gelding only arrived on Thursday morning after his original flight was cancelled owing to some wild weather in Sydney twenty-fours earlier.

“He went super last week all things considered; that was only his second run back this campaign and the time was sensational so he’s on the right track.

“I liked the way he finished off the final 100m last week, he was spent at the line but he never stopped trying. The leader finished off in 54.4 seconds and my guy kept fighting to the very end, hopefully we can get more pressure mid-race this week.

“Avonnova is the horse to beat again this week; it was my first opportunity to have a good look at him and he’s got power written all over him, he’s an impressive looking individual.”

Abettorpunt is amongst nominations for the New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 11 and connections will confirm their plans following the Queensland Pacing Championship.

 

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