Sunshine Coast trainer Darryl Hansen is hopeful Demon Award can secure a golden ticket into the $100,000 Rockhampton Newmarket on July 4.
Demon Award was transferred to Hansen last September from Townsville trainer Les Gordy with the aim of boosting his rating for the winter carnivals in Central and North Queensland this year.
The son of Shamus Award was a bargain buy at $37,500 on the recommendation of a mate of Gordy’s.
Demon Award has found his best form of late with a win and three placings from his past four starts including a last start second to Winston Smurfhill on a heavy Sunshine Coast track on May 30.
“He should be very competitive on Friday and if he can win, he automatically qualifies for the Newmarket,” Hansen said.
“If he doesn’t win, he’ll go back to Les for the Cleveland Bay Handicap.
“His last run was very good when the winner got an easy run and he was left flat-footed when they sprinted.”
Hansen has been a regular visitor to the Central and North Queensland winter carnivals for the past 15 years before missing last year for the first time.
“I’ve taken horses north to Rocky, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns for the past 15 years but I missed out last year because I didn’t have the right horses,” Hansen said.