IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS previews North Queensland’s annual glamour two-year-old event to be run at Cluden this Saturday.

Butts also reports on the winning return to the north of star sprinter Our Boy Malarchi which won at Mackay Amateurs last weekend.

Here is the Butts’ column:

GLAMOUR NQ TWO-YEAR-OLD RUN AT CLUDEN THIS SATURDAY

THE $100,000 Parry Nissan, North Queensland’s annual glamour two year old event, will be run at Cluden on Saturday.

And while form, particularly over the past few months might narrow the chances down to a handful, the set weights and conditions of the race make it a much more open affair.

Craiglea Ivy was an impressive winner last week at Cluden over the Parry Nissan distance of 1200m, and as a filly she will drop 2.5 kilos for beating the main Townsville hope One Bar None who will remain on 57kg.

There is strong school of thought among the locals however that All Bar None from the Bub Baker yard will derive more improvement from that solid hit out last week.

Form students however who subscribe to the age old racing axiom that rules 7lb (.06kg) equals a length, would dictate All Bar None be required to make vast improvement.

There is no doubt Craiglea Ivy will be the favourite in a race that has produced upsets over the years. She is obviously very fit and with the fillies’ 2kg allowance is unquestionably the horse to beat.

But one who will enjoy significant weight relief is the Mackay youngster Cyclone Kan who lumped 59kg last week when beaten only 2.2lengths when fourth to Craiglea Ivy and All Bar None.

He lost no supporters in the race being forced wide in a fast run affair and will be cherry ripe for this week’s encounter.

Then we have the Weiland factor. There is no trainer with a better record in the north than Fred Weiland with his two year olds and he’s no stranger to the winner’s podium on Parry Nissan Day.

 His main contender this year will be Nevetus who was an eye-catching third last week to Craiglea Ivy.

She meets that horse 2.5kg worse this time- but there is no doubt that the astute Weiland has her poised to peak on Parry Nissan day.

While we have already seen the best of all other contenders, Nevetus might just have a little bit more to offer come Saturday and trifecta or first four punters should not leave her out.

PARRY NISSAN MARKS BEGINNING OF TOWNSVILLE WINTER CARNIVAL

THE Parry Nissan just about marks the beginning of the Townville winter racing season that culminates with the RSL Townsville Cup on July 29. It has already begun down south and in keeping with past tradition Mackay trained John Manzelmann is poised for a mother bumper period.

Already he has won the Emerald and Home Hill cups with Payteevee and on Saturday quinellaed the Mackay Amateur Cup with the vastly improved Misty Rocket (Tracey O’Hara) who edged out favourite Payteevee in the last stride.

The Manzelmann string is up firing again at the right time, though his stable star of last season More More More seems to taking a bit longer to hit his straps. He ran a poor last on Saturday after showing signs at his previ ous start that he was back on track for another tilt at the Townsville and Cairns Cups.

Manzelmann swept all before him last year and is shaping to repeat the dose again this year.

OUR BOY MALARCHI HEADS HOME AND WINS AT MACKAY AT $1.10

ANOTHER feature of the Mackay Amateur meeting was the surprise reappearance of champion CQ sprinter Our Boy Malarchi, who at the Black Caviar odds of $1.10 scored a relatively easy win over last year’s Mackay Newmarket winner Lexcen in the weight for age.

Connections of Our Boy Malarchi have aborted an ambitious southern carnival campaign (that also included a Sydney to join the Hawkes Team) to return home and concentrate on the rich sprinting races over the ensuing weeks. The Rocky Newmarket (July 19) is an obvious target for the flying chestnut- though he is bound to be asked to lump a lot of lead.

Further north the quest to find the best up and coming stayer continued with another heat of the Magic Million sponsored series conducted at Atherton. This time it was the consistent Townsville galloper Zatsacat who prevailed and trainer Ronnie Finch (the famous ex Bronc rider)) says he is ready take on the Cairns trained Pemberton who is current unbeaten leader in the series.

The pair may clash at Mt Garnet in a fortnight which could decide outsight favouritism for the final in Cairns next month.

The series has created a lot of interest offering the chance for the” lesser lights” of racing to earn good prizemoney and bonuses for connections.

QUESTION OF WORKCOVER PREMIUMS FAR FROM RESOLVED

THE question of WorkCover premiums for Queensland trainers is far from resolved.

And according to Jim Rundle, president of the Rockhampton Trainers Association he has the ammunition to ensure the method of payment remains unchanged.

Some Brisbane trainers (not all) , are seeking- with the help of Racing Queensland- the introduction of a starters fee to be levied for runners in all races  to pay all  WorkCover premiums.

But it will simply advantage the big trainers with the big stables and therefore liable for big premiums.

The smaller trainers, and those in country regions claim it will be a severe financial impediment and prefer the status quo. Is that fair that the  Davids of training ranks are expected to  subsidise the Goliaths?

Besides. Is it lawful?

WorkCover is an arrangement between employer and em ployee. There is no facility for involvement of a third party, according to one legal interpretation.

COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.

TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.